Abstract:
A foldable carrying medical pack made of flexible material, adapted to store medical emergency supplies and equipment. Clear storage pouches which contain the medical supplies and equipment are attached by Velcro, for easy removal, to the interior side of the medical pack. This arrangement allows for immediate visible access to every item stored in each pouch/compartment. Each pouch has a clear sewn-in compartment in the front of same, to insert labels therein providing a list of the contents. The label is inserted in the compartment to allow the contents of the pouch to be easily determined. The removable pouches can be replaced with additional pouches that contain medical supplies or equipment oriented toward a variety of different medical emergencies.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a foldable pack adapted to store of supplies and equipment. The foldable pack has an exterior side and an interior side. Clear storage pouches/compartments suitable for storing the equipment are attached by Velcro strips for easy removal to the interior side of the pack. This arrangement allows for immediate visible access to every item each pouch/compartment. 
     More specifically, the present invention relates to a pack adapted to store medical emergency supplies and equipment in a medical pack. Clear storage pouches which contain the medical supplies are attached by Velcro, for easy removal, to the interior side of the medical pack. This arrangement allows for immediate visible access to every item each pouch/compartment. Each pouch has a clear sewn-in compartment in the front of same, to insert labels therein providing a list of the contents. The label is inserted in the compartment to allow the contents of the pouch to be easily determined. The removable pouches can be replaced with additional pouches that contain medical supplies or equipment oriented toward a variety of different medical emergencies. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Medical response teams react to major as well as minor incidents in a variety of ways. Regardless of whether they respond with an incident command post or rapid deployable medical treatment system, the need for medical supplies oriented for specific incidents must be readily accessible. General supplies are carried in medical kits or cases. It is important that the medical emergency kits brought to medical incident sites are light weight enough to be quickly transported and color coded for mission orientation. It is imperative that kits contain a complete line of medical supplies that meet the needs of the responder to specific types of medical emergencies 
     A portable medical equipment pack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,694 in which storage pouches are stored in layers in a suitcase style pack. This system is comprised individual single cell modules that are stand-alone or used as a system and pockets are not capable of being rearranged. The pack does not fold in half sealed by Velcro but rathe has zipper means to close it up. The pack is designed as a backpack or to hang on a specially designed rack. This pack does not have the combination of individual elements embodied in the present invention. 
     A medical emergency kit disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,303 in which storage pouches are stored in layers in a suitcase style backpack with carrying handles. This system is comprised individual single cell modules that are designed to flip open and pockets are also not capable of being rearranged. This pack does not have the combination of individual elements embodied in the present invention. 
     A survival backpack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,912 which is essentially a backpack with a plurality of straps arranged to carry survival equipment that can be converted into a stretcher. This pack does not have the combination of individual elements embodied in the present invention. 
     A portable medical equipment pack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,866 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,084 in which storage pouches are stored in layers in a suitcase style pack. This system is comprised individual pockets and drawer pockets that flip open and are not re-arraignable. The pack does not fold in half sealed by Velcro but zips closed. The pack is designed as a backpack that is self-supported with carrying handles. This pack does not have the combination of individual elements embodied in the present invention. 
     A portable medical equipment pack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 340,573 in which storage pouches are stored in layers in a suitcase style pack. This system is comprised individual single cell modules that are stand-alone or used as a system and pockets are not re-arraignable. This pack does not have the combination of individual elements embodied in the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide compact, efficient, visible and lightweight storage of a complete line of medical emergency supplies in a medical equipment pack. Storage in the carrying case is attained by open placement of removable storage pouches which are attached and secured in place by any suitable fastening means along the open interior face of the carrying case. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to allow quick, simultaneous and visible access to every item in the medical equipment pack. This is achieved by pulling apart the velcroed edges which secure the folded in half medical equipment pack, opening the pack flat out and having the storage pouches accessible to view or to remove from the carrying case. When the medical equipment storage pack is in its opened position, (i.e., unfolded or flat), all of the contents of the carrying case and the storage pouches are at once visible and readily accessible. 
     It is a further object of the present invention that in the event of multiple casualties at the emergency scene the medical supplies may be used by more than one provider at locations remote from each other. To achieve this, individual storage pouches are easily and readily detachable from the carrying case. Thus more than one paramedic may have ready access to the supplies contained within the medical equipment storage pack. 
     Accordingly, another object achieved by this invention is to have means to identify, store and access medical emergency supplies using a color coded carrying pack. This gives the provider the ability to arrange each medical pack providing maximum visibility and colored coded accessibility of the stored items. Multi-compartment zippered and detachable pouches are attached to the inside of the carrying case and these pouches may be quickly removed form the carrying case so that specific needed supplies can be in the hands of the provider who cannot be next to the carrying case. The pouches are transparent on all sides and have a label pocket so that the contents can easily and quickly be identified though still attached to the carrying case. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention in use with carrying straps. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the exterior surface of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the interior surface of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an oblique view of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention suspended on the interior wall of a deployable shelter. 
         FIG. 5  is an orthogonal view of one of the smaller pouches contained within the interior of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the smaller pouch depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an orthogonal view of one of the larger pouches contained within the interior of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is an orthogonal view of one of the larger pouches contained within the interior of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention with its top portion open. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of the larger pouch depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of one of the overlap pouches contained within the interior of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the overlap pouch depicted in  FIG. 9  in its folded state. 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of the overlap pouch depicted in  FIG. 9  in its folded state. portable medical equipment pack 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the portable medical equipment pack  100  is shown in its portable state folded over on itself, so only half of the exterior surface  101  of portable medical equipment pack  100  is viewable. A continuous support strap  102  is formed from a single band of web material, cotton, polyester or other suitable material that will not creep under a tension load, and is stitched to the exterior surface  101  of portable medical equipment pack  100 . 
     The continuous support strap  102  as depicted in  FIG. 1  as secured to the exterior surface  101  of the portable medical equipment pack is a closed curve resembling the shape of a hyperbolic paraboloid with the lower periphery portion of the hyperbolic paraboloid form folded inward and secured to the exterior surface of the portable medical equipment pack serving as supportive means for the portable medical equipment pack, and the raised peripheral portion of the hyperbolic paraboloid form serving as handle/carrying means for the portable medical equipment pack. More specifically, support straps  102  provide means for supporting the underside of the exterior surface of portable medical equipment pack  100  when it is being carried. 
     Carrying handle strap  103  is that portion of the continuous support strap  102  which is not secured to exterior surface  101 . The continuous support strap  102  is made from a flexible web material and comprises two straps sewn onto the exterior of surface  101  at  102 . These two straps  102  are spaced apart and parallel to each other and extend the length of the surface of the sheet of the portable medical equipment pack. Handles  103  are the ends of the continuous strap and extend beyond each end of the portable medical equipment pack. Handle  103  forms a semi-ellipse. There are two carrying handle straps, however the second carrying handle strap is barely visible in  FIG. 1  at  104  behind carrying strap  103 . 
     At each end of strap handle  104  and handle  103 , both of which are extensions of continuous support strap  102 , an insulated Velcro-containing handle wrap  105  is secured to handle  104 . Handle wrap  105  provides insulation to the hand or shoulder if the pack is being carried by hand, or on the shoulder, so that the weight of the pack in use is diffused, and the width of the straps do not stress the fingers or shoulder carrying the pack. 
     Thus one edge of the handle wrap  105  is secured to end point of strap  104 , and when it is desired to fold up the medical equipment pack for transporting same, handle wrap  103  is placed in contact with the handle wrap  104  within the interior of handle wrap  105  and the exterior side of the handle wrap  105  containing the Velcro is wrapped over on itself so that handle straps  103  and  104  are enclosed within Velcro handle wrap  105 . 
       FIG. 1  shows one embodiment wherein portable medical equipment pack  101  is carried over the shoulder. As depicted, the handle wrap  105  provides insulation so that the weight of the portable medical equipment pack is dispersed over the area in contact with the shoulder thereby eliminating the narrow stress channel caused by the straps that would be absorbed by the shoulder if the insulated handle wrap were not present. 
       FIG. 1  shows the portability of the medical emergency pack. It can be stored fully stocked and supplied in any convenient location and can be quickly accessed when an emergency situation arises, without the need to gather supplies necessary to handle the emergency. 
       FIG. 2  depicts the exterior of the portable medical equipment pack  201  spread out flat. Continuous strap depicted as  202  and  202 ′ is a single unitary piece since it has no beginning portion and no end portion, although it is designated in  FIG. 2  as  202  and  202 ′ for the sake of description. Parallel straps  202  and  202 ′ are sewn into the material forming the portable medical equipment pack. Said straps serve to support the unit when the portable medical equipment pack is folded over on itself, (i.e. in half) as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The portion of the continuous straps  202  and  202 ′ which extend beyond the surface of the portable medical equipment pack, to which straps  202  and  202 ′ are attached, form flexible carrying handles  203  and  203 ′ which are located at opposite circuitous ends of continuous strap forming  202  and  202 ′. 
     A soft handle rectangular wrap  204  having Velcro elements on opposite sides of same is secured by stitching means or any other suitable means to strap  203  at end  205 . Handle wrap  204  is suitable for enclosing the continuous strap  203 ′ located at the opposite end of the medical emergency pack, and doubling over on itself so that the hook section  206  of the Velcro surface is contacted with a loop section (not shown) on the reverse side of handle wrap  204 , and a tubular-like handle is formed containing the ends of the two straps  203  and  203 ′ within its interior when the portable medical equipment pack is folded over on itself, (i.e. in half) as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The rectangular handle wrap  204  is rolled over on itself containing the carrying handle straps within. 
     The sheet material forming the matrix or body of the portable medical equipment pack  201  used in accordance with the present invention is formed from any synthetic or natural polymer that: resists degradation from sun, ozone and weather; is not adversely affected if in contact with acids, alkalis, organic solvents, oils and assorted chemicals that are insidious to plastics; remains functional and useful over a wide temperature range; and displays outstanding physical toughness; resists burning; and has outstanding resistance to damage caused by flexing and twisting. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sheet comprises CORDURA®, which is a registered name of a high-performance Nylon 66 product manufactured by INVISTA. Although CORDURA is preferred, other polymeric materials having the properties mentioned above, such as a vinyl plastic, can be used. 
     The present invention uses as its preferred embodiment hook-and-loop fasteners to secure its various components together. The hook-and-loop fasteners consist of two layers: a “hook” side, which is a piece of fabric covered with tiny hooks, and a “loop” side, which is covered with even smaller and “hairier” loops. When the two sides are pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops and hold the pieces together. When the layers are separated, the strips make a characteristic “ripping” sound. A commonly used fabric fastener is Velcro® which is a brand name of the fabric. There are many other brands available besides Velcro, such as, for example, Aplix® brand, and an in-house brand made by WBC Industries. 
     The fibers most commonly used now to make Velcro are nylon or polyester. Velcro made of Teflon loops, polyester hooks, and glass backing has also been used. Generic terminology for these fasteners includes “hook and loop”, “burr” and “touch” fasteners. 
     For the sake of discussion in this specification the fabric referred to in a preferred embodiment is Velcro, but this is by way of illustration only, and any hook-and-loop fasteners to secure components together according to the present invention can be used as well as other fastening means such as caps and eyelets or studs and sockets. Thus the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment using Velcro as the fastening means. 
     Loops  207 ,  208 ,  209 ,  210  are located and extend diagonally outward at a 45° angle from each apex of the corners of said sheet. These loops are designed to allow the portable medical equipment pack be suspended from a vertical or quasi-vertical surface when in use at the site of an emergency. 
     In  FIG. 2 , extending horizontally along the entire top edge  213  of the portable medical equipment pack  201 , there is a strip of Velcro loops  211  which strip connects with a strip of Velcro hooks (not shown) located along a horizontal edge of the interior of the portable medical equipment pack, which, when the portable medical equipment pack is folded over on itself, forms the transportable unit depicted in  FIG. 1 . The elements (i.e. hooks or loops) comprising these two strips of Velcro can be reversed if desired. 
     In the center of the portable medical equipment pack is a grommet  212 . This grommet provides an opening which allows the portable medical equipment pack to be secured in its center to an interior wall which is not vertical but rather is arcuate or angular. This positioning of the portable medical equipment pack in use is depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts the interior of the portable medical equipment pack  301  spread out flat without the pouches present which form an integral part of the invention.  FIG. 3  depicts the reverse side of the portable medical equipment pack depicted in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  presents only the static elements of the invention, since the elements depicted are fixed in place, and thus are not removable. 
     Carrying handles  303  and  303 ′ and handle wrap  304  are the same element as described in the description relating to  FIG. 2  above. When the portable medical equipment pack is folded over on itself, handle wrap  304  containing Velcro surface  305  envelopes carrying straps  303  and  303 ′, and Velcro strip  305  (either hook or loop) attaches itself to the antithetical Velcro strip located on the opposite side of handle wrap  304  (not shown). 
     There are four strips of Velcro  315 ,  316 ,  317  and  318  which extend vertically as depicted in  FIG. 3 , side by side, parallel to each other and to the direction of the supports straps  302  and  302 ′ depicted in dotted lines, the dotted lines thus indicating that the straps are on the exterior of the portable medical equipment pack. 
     Two side edges  319  and  320  of the portable medical equipment pack possess Velcro strips. Along the entire length of each of these strips  319  and  320 , the half-way point  340  and  340 ′ of said length marks a change in the layer of Velcro used from hook to loop. From end  360  to midpoint  340 , the Velcro strip can be a hook and from midpoint  340  to bottom  361 , the Velcro strip along the length can be a loop. Similarly, from end  362  to midpoint  340 ′, the Velcro strip is a hook and from midpoint  340  to bottom  363 , the Velcro strip along the length is a loop. 
     When the portable medical equipment pack is folded over on itself for portability, the Velcro portions along  319  between  360  and  361  and along  320  between  362  and  363  join together, and the vertical sides of the portable medical equipment pack are sealed off and secure. 
     On a first side of the portable medical equipment pack adjacent to and in between Velcro strip  319  on the edge and Velcro strip  315 , there is a column of expandable elastic loops  322 ,  323 ,  324  and  325 ; and on a second opposite side, adjacent to and in between Velcro strip  320  on the edge and Velcro strip  318 , there is a column of expandable elastic loops  326 ,  327 ,  328  and  329 . The expandable elastic loops, secured to the sheet material, are adapted to hold and secure elongated cylindrical, tubular items such as chest tubes, ET catheters, pens, trauma shears, etc. 
     Located and extending diagonally inward at a 45° angle from each apex of the corners of the interior side of the portable medical equipment pack are assemblies  307 ,  308 ,  309  and  310 , each comprising a quick-release buckle and a strip of a web-like material which, when said elements are connected, forms an adjustable continuous loop. The strip of web material is adjustable at the buckle so various lengths are possible for each assembly. As noted above, these assemblies are designed to be secured to a wall or any suitable horizontal or vertical surface to allow the portable medical equipment pack to be suspended therefrom when in use at the site of an emergency. 
     Assemblies referred to above containing the web material and quick-release buckle, and suitable for use in the present invention are those described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,150,464 and 4,171,555, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     The quick-release buckle comprises separable cooperating receptacle and clasp members. The receptacle member includes a pair of locking slots formed in opposing sides thereof. The clasp member includes a pair of resilient arms having locking tabs thereon for releasably engaging the locking slots of the receptacle member. The receptacle member also includes a pair of grooves for slideably engaging cooperating raised ridges formed on a central arm of the clasp member for guiding said clasp member during insertion into and removal from the receptacle member. The central arm of the clasp member includes a pair of laterally extending edges for defining a limit to the inward bending of the resilient arms. The receptacle includes a belt end termination member including a slide member for adjusting the length of a belt looped around said slide member. The clasp member also includes a base member joining the three arms thereof and including a through slot for terminating a belt end or the like. 
     A useful embodiment of how the quick-release buckle of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention is used, is shown in  FIG. 4 , which depicts the quick-release buckle attached at an angle to a wall of a deployable shelter. 
     At the bottom of matrix sheet  301 , and parallel to Velcro strip  321  that extends along the bottom edge of the sheet, there are two assemblies of strips  330  and  331  of web-like material positioned in-line. Each assembly contains a D-ring attached to a strip of web-like material attached to the matrix sheet and further having length of web-like material having Velcro layers attached thereto in line with the D-ring. The said length of web-like material extends through the D-ring and loops back onto itself, and is secured together via the Velcro. These assemblies serve to store and secure different sizes of items having a central orifice through which the strap can be inserted such as a roll of tape. 
     The dynamic aspect of the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention is that there is a collection of different sized removable pouches that are secured to the interior side of the portable medical equipment pack via Velcro means. The pouches store equipment therein, preferably medical equipment. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the portable medical equipment pack  401  is suspended from a wall surface that is not vertical using top assemblies  407  and  408 , said assemblies being. located and extending diagonally inward at a 45° angle from the top two apexes. The assemblies secure the portable medical equipment pack to the angular or arcuate wall of the shelter. 
     Bottom assemblies  409  and  410  serve to hold the portable medical equipment pack  401  against the surface of the supporting structure. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there are eight pouches arranged in columns and rows that are secure via Velcro, or some other suitable fastening means to the interior of portable medical equipment pack  401 . Starting from the top of the portable medical equipment pack as depicted in  FIG. 4 , two of the pouches  440  and  441  located abreast of each other are clear removable pouches made from a vinyl plastic with zippers and measure about 14″W×5″H×3″thick. 
     Beneath those two pouches, there are two more pouches  442 ,  443 , (two abreast) that are clear removable pouches made from a vinyl plastic with zippers and measure about 14″W×9″H×3″thick. 
     Beneath pouches  442  and  443 , there are two more pouches  444 ,  445 , (two abreast) that are clear removable pouches made from a vinyl plastic 
     At the bottom of the portable medical equipment pack  401 , there are two clear removable vinyl pouches  446  and  447  that measure 15″×15″, fold over on each other and include compartments sewn stitched therein to hold smaller medical supplies. 
     Each of the various pouches described above has a clear sewn-in compartment or slot in its front to contain labels to be inserted therein to provide a quick visual list and inventory of contents. All of the removable pouches can contain medical supplies such as bandages, IV bags, and masks, and associated medical equipment. 
     The area of the portable medical equipment pack depicted in  FIG. 4  is approximately 1520 in 2  (approximately 1 meter 2 ). The dimension of the storage pack has significance because the storage pack is designed (inter alfa) to hang on the wall of the type of deployable shelter disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/322,062 to A. Jon Prusmack, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. The shelters described in the aforementioned application comprise a frame formed from square quads having hubs at each apex of the quad and in the center thereof. The interior fabric wall of the shelter is held in place by keepers which screw into the hubs forming the frame. Each of these keepers has a loop extending out therefrom. The loops serve as means to connect the web straps of assemblies  407 ,  408 ,  409  and  410  to the shelter. 
     The dimension of the sheet (preferably between 39″×39″ 40″×40″ and 40″×38″) is designed to allow the sheet, using the one inch heavy weight adjustable web straps  407 ,  408 ,  409  and  410  with quick release buckles sewn on all four corners of the sheet, to be attached to the loops extending from the keepers (not shown) thereby hanging the storage pack on the interior wall of the shelter. The center of the portable medical equipment pack contains a grommet (not shown,  312  in  FIG. 3 ) which aligns with the central hub located in the center of the square quads noted above. A keeper (not shown) is inserted through the grommet and screwed into the central hub in the quad and the portable medical equipment pack is held taut against the interior wall of the shelter. 
     On a first side of the portable medical equipment pack depicted in  FIG. 4 , adjacent to and in between Velcro strip  419  on the edge of the portable medical equipment pack and the column of pouches  440 ,  442 ,  444 , and  446  depicted, there is a column of expandable elastic loops  422 ,  423 ,  424  and  425 .  FIG. 4  shows a cylindrical item held within loops  423  and  425 , whereas loops  422  and  424  have no items within. 
     At the bottom of portable medical equipment pack  401 , and parallel to Velcro strip  421  that extends along the bottom edge of portable medical equipment pack  401 , there are two assemblies of strips  430  and  431  of web-like material positioned in-line. Each assembly contains a D-ring attached to a strip of web-like material attached to the matrix sheet and further having length of web-like material having Velcro layers attached thereto in line with the D-ring. Assembly  430  is depicted storing as a roll of tape. 
     Some of the eight pouches depicted in  FIG. 4 , by way of illustration, show items contained within the pouches. Pouches  444  and  445  show items secured by elastic bands  450  and  451  sewn to the front surface thereof. 
     As noted  FIG. 4  depicts the preferred embodiment of the present invention as being designed to hang on the interior wall of the deployable shelter mentioned above which shelter serves as an emergency room, ICU, triage area, etc. 
       FIG. 5  depicts one of the pouches located at the top of the collection of pouches in the portable medical equipment pack. The pouch  500  is depicted in  FIG. 4 , as either of pouches  440  or  441  located abreast of each other. 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of pouch  500 . Pouch  500  is a removable pouch, measuring about 14″W×5″H×3″thick, preferably made from a clear vinyl plastic, or the like, with a zipper  501  that separates and connects a bottom section  502  from a top section  503 . Zipper  501  is a chain comprising the continuous piece that is formed when the teeth secured to the bottom of section  502  and the teeth secured to the top of section  503  are meshed together to secure top section  502  to bottom section  503 . Zipper  501  contains one or two sliders  504 ,  505 , i.e., a device that moves along the chain to open or close the zipper, each with a pull tab  506 ,  507  used to hold or move the slider. 
     Each side of zipper  501  is secured to fabric tape (as detailed in the description relating to  FIG. 7 ) which is in turn secured to the plastic material forming the pouch. Zipper  501  extends along the entire depth (sides) and width (front) dimensions of the pouch. Zipper  501  does not extend along the rear side of the pouch. 
     At the back edge of pouch  500  at each side, there are finger tabs  508  and  509  which are used as grips to remove the pouch from the Velcro back to which it is attached when in storage or transit. Along each side of the pouch there are web straps  510  and  511  which can be used as a handle to carry the pouch when removed from the portable medical equipment pack. In the front of pouch  501  is an open-ended bifurcated compartment  512  comprising two sections  513  and  514  which serve to contain cards that list by printing, drawing or otherwise, the contents contained within the individual pouch.  FIG. 5  depicts a card  515  adapted to disclose the contents of the pouch partially inserted into one section  513  of compartment  512 . 
       FIG. 6  is a rear view of the pouch depicted in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  shows the rear of pouch  600  with Velcro strips  601  and  602  which together with the Velcro strips secured to the interior side of the portable medical equipment pack, hold the pouch securely in place in storage and/or use. 
       FIG. 6  also shows tabs  608  and  609  and web straps  610  and  611  located at the side of the pouch. Looking through the back of the pouch to the front thereof, compartment  612  at the front of the pouch has a dividing seam that separates bifurcated compartment  612  into sections  613  and  614 . An index card  615  is shown partially inserted into section  614 . Index card  615  contains a written description of the contents contained within the pouch and the description of same is visible from the front of the pouch when pouch  600  is adhered to the Velcro strips situated on the interior side of the portable medical equipment pack as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts pouch  700  which is one of two pouches situated abreast each other in of the collection of pouches in the portable medical equipment pack. Pouch  700  is located directly beneath pouch  500  depicted in  FIG. 5  and described above. The pouch  700  is depicted in  FIG. 4 , as either of pouches  440  or  441  located abreast of each other. 
       FIG. 7  is an orthogonal view of pouch  700 . Pouch  700  is a removable pouch, measuring about 14″W×9″H×3″thick, preferably made from a clear vinyl plastic, or the like, with a zipper  701  that separates and connects a bottom section  702  from a top section  703 . Zipper  701  is a chain comprising the continuous piece that is formed when the teeth secured to bottom section  702  and the teeth secured to top section  703  are meshed together to secure top section  702  to bottom section  703 . Zipper  701  contains one or two sliders  704 ,  705 , i.e., a device that moves along the chain to open or close the zipper, each with a pull tab  706 ,  707  used to hold or move the slider. 
     The teeth on each side of zipper  701  is secured to fabric tape  720  which is in turn secured to the material forming the pouch. Zipper  701  extends along the entire depth (sides) and width (front) dimensions of the pouch. Zipper  701  does not extend along the rear side of the pouch. 
     At the back edge of pouch  700  at each side, there are finger tabs  708  and  709  which can be used as grips to remove the pouch from the Velcro strips located on the interior surface of the portable medical equipment pack to which pouch  700  is attached when in storage or transit. Along each side of pouch  700  there are web straps  710  and  711  which can be used as a handle to carry the pouch when removed from the portable medical equipment pack. In the front of pouch  701  is an open-ended bifurcated compartment  712  comprising two sections  713  and  714  which serve to contain cards that list by printing or otherwise, the contents contained within the pouch.  FIG. 7  contains a card in sections  713  and  714  which serve to disclose the contents of the pouch. 
     The front face of pouch  700  contains a flexible elastic band that is stitched to the face of pouch  700  to form segments  723 ,  724 ,  725 ,  726  and  727  which are designed to hold equipment used by the personnel using the portable medical equipment pack at the emergency site. Segments  723  and  725  illustrate how items are stored in the segments of the flexible elastic band. 
       FIG. 7A  depicts the pouch described in  FIG. 7  above with the same elements, except that the zipper via pull tab  706  has opened the pouch. Thus sections  702  and  703  are not joined by the zipper and the user has access to the contents within the pouch. 
       FIG. 8  is a rear view of pouch  700  depicted in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 8  shows the rear of pouch  800  with Velcro strips  801  and  802  which together with the Velcro strips secured to the interior side of the portable medical equipment pack, hold the pouch securely in place in storage and/or use. 
       FIG. 8  also shows the tabs  708  and  709  as described in  FIG. 7  and web straps  810  and  811  located at the side of the pouch. Looking through the back of pouch  800  to the front thereof, compartment  812  at the front of the pouch has a dividing seam  812 ′ that separates bifurcated compartment  812  into sections  813  and  814 . Labeling cards  813  and  814  are inserted into section  812 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of the last type of pouch found in the portable medical equipment pack of the present invention. The pouch assembly has an interior pocket and a closure flap that folds down over the front to cover the pocket.  FIG. 9  depicts the interior of pouch  900 . 
     The pouch assembly of the present invention is formed initially from a flat rectangular sheet of transparent vinyl or similar clear flexible plastic material. The plastic forming the overlapping envelope pouch is supple enough to facilitate folding horizontally along two preselected lines so that a three part fold-over pouch is obtained. 
     As noted above, pouch  900  is formed from a flat rectangular sheet which has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a bottom edge, a top edge and two sides comprising a right and a left side. To form pouch  900  as used in the present invention, the initial bottom edge  901  of the rectangular sheet from which the pouch is formed is folded up on itself so that edge  901  is then located substantially as shown in  FIG. 9 . The resultant bottom edge of the pouch after folding up on itself is a folded crease  902  which extends horizontally along the bottom width of the pouch. Folded crease  902  then becomes the bottom of the pouch and initial bottom edge after folding up on itself becomes the top edge of pocket  903 . The contiguous edges along each of its right and left sides (not shown) resulting from the fold-over are sealed together, thus forming a pocket within the horizontal width of the pouch from top to bottom of same. The pocket covering the width of the pouch is divided into a series of smaller pockets  904 ,  905 ,  906  and  907  in which items needed for emergency treatment are stored. The smaller pockets  904 ,  905 ,  906  and  907  are formed by vertically stitching together the front of the pocket to the back of pocket at a plurality of parallel locations  908 ,  909  and  910 , said lines of stitching extending from the folded crease  902  formed at the bottom of the pouch up to the top  901  of the newly formed pocket. 
     The remainder of the flat rectangular sheet extending from the top  901  of the formed pocket to the top edge  911  of the sheet is then available for folding over along a plane extending between points  912  and  913  which are located substantially half the distance between bottom  902  and top  911  at the top of pouch  900 . This area which available to fold over the pocket forms the closure flap depicted in  FIG. 10 . The result is a pouch that has the general configuration of a fold-over wallet. 
     A suitable distance beneath the top edge  911 , a strip of elastic tape (essentially a band)  914  extending horizontally across the width of the interior of the pouch  900 , is sewn into the sheet material. Vertical stitches  915 ,  916 ,  917  and  918  are sewn into the band to form individual sections  919 ,  920 ,  921 ,  922 ,  923  and  924  which are used to secure and store items needed for emergency treatment. Scissors  926  are shown being held in place by the flexible elastic band in section  922 . 
     Extending along each interior left and right side edge  926  and  927  of the pouch there is a pair of mating Velcro strips  928 ,  929  and  930  and  931 . These Velcro strips used in pouch  900  are divided into two mating parts. The first Velcro strips  928  and  929  each possess a surface with hooks. The second Velcro strips  930  and  931  each possess a surface of loops. Thus when the top half of the front section or closure flap is folded over on itself, the Velcro strips provide a secure interior portion such that items contained within the interior of the pouch will not be lost. 
       FIG. 10  depicts the front of the closure flap  1001  of pouch  1000 . On the front face of the closure flap  1001  there are four pockets  1010 ,  1011 ,  1012  and  1013  defined by stitching a piece of transparent plastic to the front of closure flap  1001  and dividing it into compartments of 2 rows and 2 columns. The compartments are used to contain cards having a description of the contents of the pouch. Edges  1026  and  1027  show the hidden location of the Velcro strips which hold the body of the pouch to closure flap  1001 . The location of the strip of elastic tape (essentially a band)  1014  extending horizontally across the width of the interior of pouch  1000 , is shown in  FIG. 10 . The front of Velcro strips  1020  and  1021  which mate up with the Velcro strips in the interior of the portable portable medical equipment pack are visible through the front of the pouch. 
       FIG. 11  depicts the back of pouch  1100  showing Velcro strips  1120  and  1121 , the four compartments  1110 ,  1111 ,  1112  and  1113 , the location of the band of elastic tape  1114  and the edges  1126  and  1127  which is the hidden location of the Velcro strips which hold the body of the pouch to the closure flap. 
     The foregoing discussion of the various aspects of invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or forms disclosed herein. Although the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. Where specific “means” are described in the specification for the purpose of illustration, the description given is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. For example when, referring to stitching to form or hold together, any suitable means of securing one piece to another may conveniently be used. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.