Abstract:
Certain embodiments can comprise an apparatus, comprising a non-garment container for a device. The container can comprise: a first portion; a second portion couplable to the first portion; and a releasable closure attached to the first portion and the second portion for closing a releasably closable first opening adjacent the first portion and said second portion. The container can define a second opening opposing the first opening. The first opening can close to form a plurality of sub-openings.

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0001]     A wide variety of potential embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0002]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0003]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0004]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0005]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0006]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0007]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0008]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  11000 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system  12000 ; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart of an exemplary method  13000 . 
     
    
     DEFINITIONS  
       [0015]     When the following terms are used herein, the accompanying definitions apply.  
         [0016]     adapted—made suitable for.  
         [0017]     adjacent—adjoining with little or no intervening space.  
         [0018]     adjoining—next to.  
         [0019]     area—the measure of the space within a 2-dimensional region.  
         [0020]     attached—joined or secured together.  
         [0021]     auxiliary—supplemental.  
         [0022]     auxiliary storage pocket—a pocket designed primarily for storage.  
         [0023]     auxiliary storage volume—the interior volume of an auxiliary storage pocket.  
         [0024]     bottom—in a normal operative embodiment, the lowest point of an object.  
         [0025]     can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments.  
         [0026]     circuit—a path or route the complete traversal of which without local change of direction or crossing the path requires returning to the starting point.  
         [0027]     closable—capable of being closed.  
         [0028]     close—alter an opening such that the opening becomes substantially obstructed.  
         [0029]     closed—the result of closing.  
         [0030]     closing—altering and/or manipulating a closure and/or opening such that the opening becomes substantially obstructed.  
         [0031]     closure—a clasp, catch, and/or other closing device, such as a button, a snap, a zipper, a pin, a hook-and-loop fastener, and/or lacing, etc., and/or a portion thereof.  
         [0032]     comprised—included in; a part of.  
         [0033]     comprises—includes, but is not limited to.  
         [0034]     comprising—including but not limited to.  
         [0035]     container—something that at least partially, holds, carries, and/or encloses one or more items for transport, storage, and/or protection, etc.  
         [0036]     couplable—capable of being coupled.  
         [0037]     couple—to join, connect, and/or link two things together.  
         [0038]     device opening—an opening through which a device and/or one or more items can be passed.  
         [0039]     device opening area—the measure of a 2-dimensional region defined as a device opening.  
         [0040]     dimensioned—constructed to a specific extent, scope or magnitude; such as a specific height, width, diameter, volume, area, etc.  
         [0041]     enclose—surround on all sides.  
         [0042]     enclosed—surrounded on all sides.  
         [0043]     exit—a path leading through an opening and away from an interior of a container.  
         [0044]     exterior—substantially non-interior.  
         [0045]     fastened—attached firmly, but not fixedly.  
         [0046]     fixedly—not releasably.  
         [0047]     flexible device—an elongated non-rigid object, such as a cable, wire, antenna, tube, and/or hose, etc.  
         [0048]     flexible medical tube—an elongated, non-rigid, fluid-conveyable object useable for a medical purpose.  
         [0049]     flexible medical tube opening—an opening dimensioned such that a flexible medical tube may pass therethrough.  
         [0050]     garment—an article of clothing. Would not include accessories such as jewelry, handbags, purses, shoulder bags, satchels, totes, backpacks, etc.  
         [0051]     information device—any device capable of processing information, such as any general purpose and/or special purpose computer, such as a personal computer, workstation, server, minicomputer, mainframe, supercomputer, computer terminal, laptop, wearable computer, and/or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), mobile terminal, Bluetooth device, communicator, “smart” phone (such as a Handspring Treo-like device), messaging service (e.g., Blackberry) receiver, pager, facsimile, cellular telephone, a traditional telephone, telephonic device, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and/or peripheral integrated circuit elements, an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a hardware electronic logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, and/or a programmable logic device such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA, or PAL, or the like, etc. In general any device on which resides a finite state machine capable of implementing at least a portion of a method, structure, and/or or graphical user interface described herein may be used as an information device. An information device can include well-known components such as one or more network interfaces, one or more processors, one or more memories containing instructions (such as firmware and/or software), and/or one or more input/output (I/O) devices, one or more user interfaces, etc.  
         [0052]     interior—of, relating to, or located on the inside.  
         [0053]     item—anything that can be at least partially, protected, housed, transported, concealed, supported, carried, and/or enclosed, etc., by a container.  
         [0054]     medical device—an object usable for monitoring, maintaining, and/or enhancing the health of a person.  
         [0055]     medical device storage pocket—a pocket designed specifically for, but not limited to, at least partially, holding, protecting, concealing, storing, transporting, carrying, and/or supporting, etc., a medical device.  
         [0056]     medical device storage volume—the interior volume of a medical device storage pocket, or the volume of the interior of a medical device storage pocket.  
         [0057]     medical-device-hiding—substantially obstructing visibility of a medical device.  
         [0058]     medical-device-supporting—substantially bearing the weight of a medical device as well as holding it in position to keep it from falling.  
         [0059]     medivice—a medical device.  
         [0060]     normal operative embodiment—when the apparatus is operated and/or used in a typical manner. For example, when a container is being carried by hand, worn on a shoulder, hung on a hook, and/or hung on an IV-stand, etc.  
         [0061]     obstructed—a condition where passage through is stopped and/or impeded.  
         [0062]     obstructing—significantly shutting out.  
         [0063]     offset—in a location near to but distinguishable from a given point or area.  
         [0064]     open—not substantially obstructed.  
         [0065]     opened—in an open condition.  
         [0066]     opening—(n) an unobstructed area allowing access to and/or visibility of the interior of a container.  
         [0067]     opening—(v) altering and/or manipulating a closure and/or opening such that the opening becomes substantially unobstructed.  
         [0068]     opposing—aligned or positioned in an opposite direction from.  
         [0069]     panel—a part of an item. Can be visually and/or physically distinguishable and/or non-distinguishable.  
         [0070]     partially—to a certain extent but not totally.  
         [0071]     pass—to move through and beyond without local change of direction.  
         [0072]     perimeter—a circuit.  
         [0073]     plurality—the state of being plural and/or more than one.  
         [0074]     pocket—a container that at least partially encloses its contents.  
         [0075]     portable—capable of being carried and/or moved with ease.  
         [0076]     portion—a part of an item. Can be visually and/or physically distinguishable and/or non-distinguishable.  
         [0077]     releasable—capable of being freed from a binding, fastening, and/or other restraint.  
         [0078]     releasably closable—capable of being repeatedly and non-destructively closed and opened.  
         [0079]     soft—not rough, abrasive, or harsh to the touch.  
         [0080]     storage—a space for reserving and/or putting away goods, items, devices, objects, etc.  
         [0081]     storage bag—a type of storage container.  
         [0082]     storage container—a container that provides storage.  
         [0083]     storing—reserving and/or putting away goods, items, devices, and/or objects, etc., in a container, storage, pocket, and/or bag, etc.  
         [0084]     strap—a strip of material that can be constructed for grasping with a hand, placing over a shoulder, hanging on an IV pole, and/or hanging on a hook, etc.  
         [0085]     sub-opening—a smaller opening created when a larger opening is closed.  
         [0086]     substantially—to a majority extent. More so than not. For the most part.  
         [0087]     support—to bear at least a substantial portion of the weight of.  
         [0088]     transport—to move from one place to another.  
         [0089]     tube opening area—the measure of the 2-dimensional region defined as a tube opening.  
         [0090]     unabrasive—defining a low abrasiveness index.  
         [0091]     underside—in a normal operative embodiment, a ground-facing side.  
         [0092]     unfastened—not fastened.  
         [0093]     volume—the capacity of the amount of space occupied by a three dimensional object or region of space measured in cubic units.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0094]     Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a system comprising: a non-garment container for storing and/or transporting a medical device and/or one or more other items.  
         [0095]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 , which can be used for storing and/or transporting medical devices and/or one or more other items. Container  1000  can, at least partially, enclose, conceal, store, protect, support, and/or transport, etc., a medical device, one or more other devices, and/or one or more items, etc.  
         [0096]     Container  1000  can define a top opening  1600 , which can be dimensioned to allow insertion and/or removal of a medical device and/or one or more other items, such as a snack, drink, purse, wallet, keys, instruction manual, magazine, book, cell phone, laptop computer, PDA, wiring, tube, flexible device, etc., through top opening  1600 . A medical device can be a pump, a colostomy bag, a fluid bag, a catheter bag, a surgical food bag, a plasma bag, a blood product, a hydration source, an insulin source, a drug source, a monitor, a transmitter, a receiver, and/or a transceiver, etc.  
         [0097]      FIG. 1  shows container  1000  in an open configuration, and  FIG. 2  shows container  1000  in an closed configuration. Second portion  1400  can releasably couple to first portion  1200  at one or more locations offset from a bottom  1410  of container  1000 . First portion  1200  and/or second portion  1400  can comprise a closure  1300 . Closure  1300  can be a snap, zipper, button, pin, lacing, and/or hook- and/or loop- fastener, etc. Closure  1300  can comprise a first closure  1325  and/or a second closure  1375 , which can releasably couple to form closure  1300 .  
         [0098]     First portion  1200  can releasably couple to second portion  1400  via closure  1300  to form sub-opening  1425  and/or sub-opening  1475 . Second portion  1400 , when releasably coupled to first portion  1200 , and in a normal operative environment, can provide substantial support for a medical device and/or an other item. Sub-opening  1425  and/or sub-opening  1475  can be offset from bottom  1410  of container  1000 . Sub-opening  1425  and/or sub-opening  1475  can be dimensioned such that a flexible device can pass through sub-opening  1425  and/or sub-opening  1475 . Sub-opening  1425  and/or sub-opening  1475  can be dimensioned such that a medical device cannot pass through sub-opening  1425  and/or sub-opening  1475 .  
         [0099]     Container  1000  can comprise at least one strap  1100 . Strap  1100  can be a shoulder strap, a hand strap, and/or a strap for hanging container  1000  on an IV-stand, etc. Strap  1100  can be releasably coupled and/or fixedly attached to first portion  1200  and/or second portion  1400 . In a normal operating environment, strap  1100  can be pulled in a direction opposing bottom  1410  to facilitate carrying, transport, and/or hanging, etc., of the container  1000 .  
         [0100]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 . Container can define a bottom opening  1500  adjacent first portion  1200  and second portion  1400 . Bottom opening  1500  can be dimensioned to allow a medical device and/or one or more other items to pass through bottom opening  1500 .  
         [0101]     Second portion  1400  can releasably couple to first portion  1200  to close bottom opening  1500  and form sub-opening  1450 . Second portion  1400 , when closed, can be medical-device-supporting. Closure  1325  can releasably couple with closure  1375  to form closure  1300  and/or releasably couple first portion  1200  to second portion  1400 . Sub-opening  1450  can be offset from bottom  1410  of container. Sub-opening  1450  can be dimensioned to allow a flexible device to pass through sub-opening  1450 . Sub-opening  1450  can be dimensioned such that a medical device cannot pass through sub-opening  1450 . An area of bottom opening  1500  can be between approximately 1.0 square inches and approximately 80 square inches, including all values and subranges therebetween. An area of sub-opening  1450  can be between 0.01 and 40.0 square inches, including all values and subranges therebetween. A ratio of an area of sub-opening  1450  to an area of bottom opening  1500  can be between approximately 0.05 and approximately 0.35, including all values and subranges therebetween.  
         [0102]     Interior  1550  can be adapted to at least partially, hold, protect, carry, house, enclose, store, conceal, and/or transport, etc., a medical device and/or one or more other items. Interior  1550  defines an interior volume that can be large enough to at least partially enclose a medical device and/or one or more other items. The interior volume can be between approximately 0.01 cubic feet and approximately 1.0 cubic feet, including all values and subranges therebetween.  
         [0103]      FIG. 3  shows container  1000  in an open configuration, and  FIG. 4  shows container  1000  in an closed configuration.  
         [0104]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 . Second portion  1400 , when releasably coupled to first portion  1200 , and first portion  1200  can define a sub-opening  1475 . Sub-opening  1475  can be offset from bottom  1410  of said container. Sub-opening  1475  can be dimensioned to allow a flexible device to pass through sub-opening  1475 . Sub-opening  1475  can be dimensioned such that a medical device cannot pass through sub-opening  1475 . A ratio of an area of sub-opening  1475  to an area of bottom opening  1500  (see  FIG. 3 ) between approximately 0.05 and approximately 0.35, including all values and subranges therebetween.  
         [0105]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are side views of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 .  FIG. 6  shows container  1000  in a open configuration, and  FIG. 7  shows container  1000  in a closed configuration.  
         [0106]     As shown, first portion  1200  and/or second portion can comprise opposing lateral sides  1250 . Closure  1325  can releasably couple to closure  1375  to form closure  1300 . First portion  1200  can releasably couple to second portion  1400  via closure  1300  to form sub-opening  1425 . Second portion  1400 , when releasably coupled to first portion  1200 , and in a normal operative environment, can provide substantial support for a medical device and/or one or more items. Sub-opening  1425  can be offset from bottom  1410  of container  1000 . Sub-opening  1425  can be dimensioned such that a flexible device can pass through sub-opening  1425 . Sub-opening  1425  can be dimensioned such that a medical device cannot pass through sub-opening  1425 . A ratio of an area of sub-opening  1425  to an area of bottom opening  1500  (see  FIG. 3 ) can be between approximately 0.05 and approximately 0.35, including all values and subranges therebetween.  
         [0107]      FIG. 8  is a front view,  FIG. 9  is a front view, and  FIG. 10  is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  1000 . Container  1000  can be constructed of material, such as cotton, leather, vinyl, nylon, polyester, etc. The material can be unabrasive, soft, and/or relatively smooth. The material can feel relatively comfortable when it contacts the skin of a medical patient.  
         [0108]     Container  1000  can be of a one-piece and/or multi-piece design. Container  1000  can comprise a first portion  1200  and/or a second portion  1400 . Second portion  1400  can releasably couple to first portion  1200 , such as on and/or at a front of container  1000 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  show container  1000  in an open configuration, and  FIG. 10  shows container  1000  in a closed configuration.  
         [0109]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  11000 . Container  11000  can be of single piece or multi-piece design. Container  11000  comprises a medical device pocket  11200  and an auxiliary device storage pocket  11700 . Medical device pocket  11200  can be fixedly attached to an exterior wall  11750  of auxiliary storage pocket  11700 . A ratio of an interior volume of medical device pocket  11200  and an interior volume of auxiliary storage pocket  11700  can be between approximately 0.25 and approximately 4.00, including all values therebetween, such as approximately 0.33, 0.51798, 0.99, 1.67, 3, 3.747, etc., and all subranges therebetween, such as from approximately 0.5 to approximately 2.499, from approximately 0.83 to approximately 1.83, etc. Medical device pocket  11200  and/or auxiliary storage pocket  11700  can comprise a releasably coupleable panel  11400 . Releasably coupleable panel  11400  can be coupleable to medical device pocket  11200  at a location offset from a bottom  11410  of medical device pocket  11200 . Releasably coupleable panel  11400 , when releasably coupled to medical device pocket  11200 , can form a sub-opening  11450 . Medical device pocket  11200  and/or releasably coupleable panel  11400  can comprise a closure  11300 . Closure  11300  can be releasably coupleable. Sub-opening  11450  can be dimensioned to allow a flexible device to pass through sub-opening  11450 . Sub-opening  11450  can be dimensioned such that a medical device cannot pass through sub-opening  11450 .  
         [0110]      FIG. 12  shows an exemplary embodiment of a system  12000 . System  12000  comprises a container  12050 , a flexible device  12485 , and/or a medical device  12800 . Certain embodiments comprise a medical device  12800  coupled to a flexible device  12485  inserted through a bottom opening in container  12200 . A second portion  12400  of a container can be releasably coupled to a first portion  12200  via a closure  12300 . Second portion when releasably coupled, and/or first portion define a sub-opening  12450 . Flexible device  12485  can pass through sub-opening  12450 .  
         [0111]     For example, if the flexible device is a feeding tube (see, e.g., element  12485  of  FIG. 12 ) that is attached at one end to a medical feeding pump (see, e.g., element  12800  of  FIG. 12 ), one can insert the feeding pump through a bottom opening in a container. One can then close a releasably coupleable panel of the container (see, e.g., element  12400  of  FIG. 12 ), leaving the feeding tube protruding through a feeding tube hole in container (see, e.g. element  12450  of  FIG. 12 ). The medical device and feeding tube can then be easily transported in the portable storage portable storage. A patient can carry the system by hand, over a shoulder, and/or hang it on an IV-stand, etc. The status of the feeding pump can also be monitored by viewing and/or removing it through a top opening in the container (see, e.g. element  12600  of  FIG. 12 ) without decoupling the feeding tube at either end.  
         [0112]     As another example, medical device  12800  can comprise a monitor, such as a glucose monitor, heart monitor, brain wave monitor, etc. The monitor can be coupled via a flexible device, such as a cable, wire, and/or optical fiber, to a sensor and/or actuator coupled to, attached on, and/or inserted into, a body of person. The monitor can be wirelessly coupled to a wireless information device that receives data from and/or provides data and/or instructions to, the monitor. The monitor can be coupleable via a wire, cable, and/or optical fiber to an information device.  
         [0113]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart of an exemplary method  13000  for using a container. At  13100 , a first end of a flexible device can be coupled to a medical device. At activity  13200 , the medical device coupled to the flexible device can be inserted through a first opening in a container. At activity  13300 , the first opening of the container can be closed leaving the flexible device protruding from the container through a flexible device opening.  
         [0114]      FIG. 13  represents only one of various methods of using a container. The container can be used to carry, hold, transport, and/or conceal, etc. various types of devices and/or objects. The container can be used with various types of flexible devices such as hoses, tubes, cords, wires, cables, wireless antennae, and/or ropes, etc. These flexible devices when used with a container are not limited to coupling with only medical devices.  
         [0115]     Still other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from reading the above-recited detailed description and drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of this application. For example, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated. Further, any activity or element can be excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary. Accordingly, the descriptions and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such incorporated by reference material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.