Patent Publication Number: US-2005133130-A1

Title: Versatile personal storage device

Description:
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of the following U.S. provisional applications, each of which is fully incorporated herein by reference: 
          application Ser. No. 60/492,743, filed Aug. 6, 2003;     application Ser. No. 60/540,973, filed Feb. 2, 2004;     application Ser. No. 60/548,430, filed Feb. 27, 2004;     application Ser. No. 60/566,094, filed Apr. 29, 2004; and     application Ser. No. 60/573,786, filed May 25, 2004.       

    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      Personal storage devices, such as pockets, purses, bags and the like have long been known. Known personal storage devices usually employ some sort of mechanism to permanently affix the device to clothing, or to hang or append the device from some part of the body. For example, pockets are usually permanently affixed to clothing with such mechanisms as sewing stitches, snaps, pins, buttons, Velcro®, magnets, and the like. Devices like purses, luggage, backpacks and so on, while not permanently affixed to the carrier, usually require a mechanism to append the device to the carrier, such as the straps and buckles of a typical purse or backpack, or the handles of luggage.  
      However, such known personal storage devices are often unsatisfactory, in particular for people engaged in activities such as nightlife, travel, and recreational athletics. Purses and travel gear, for example, can be cumbersome and interfere with the enjoyment of nightlife and travel. Any kind of baggage or accessory can impede the freedom of movement needed for athletic activities. Such considerations have propelled many to create makeshift solutions to their personal storage needs. For example, runners tie keys to their shoes or shorts and place identification in their undergarments, travelers sew new pockets into the inside of their clothes to store and safeguard valuables, and women at nightclubs simply give their possessions to others for safekeeping. However, market research suggests that such measures are also unsatisfactory to those who practice them.  
      Various other needs for placing or storing items on or near a person commonly arise. For example, medicines or medical equipment typically need to be near the person they are intended to treat. Diabetics need to have insulin readily available; people with heart conditions may need to carry cardiac monitors, and so on. However, often there exists no convenient or aesthetically pleasing mechanism for meeting such needs.  
      Accordingly, a personal storage system that addresses the disadvantages in conventional systems is needed.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Embodiments of the present invention relate to a personal storage device that is removably affixable to skin. In embodiments, the personal storage device may comprise one or more containers and an adhesive surface. The one or more containers may be used to store personal items such as keys, identification or other cards, documents or other valuables, while the adhesive surface enables the device to be affixed to skin. Thus, for example, the device may be used to conveniently carry valuables while affording freedom of movement, addressing the needs of persons engaged in recreational athletics. Further, for example, the device may be easily concealed beneath clothing, again while giving freedom of movement, making travel and nightlife activities, or for that matter any daily activity, more enjoyable. Additionally, the device may be used in many applications relating to medical needs, such as to hold medications, or mechanisms that collect medical data, conveniently and unobtrusively.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIGS. 1-13  show a personal storage device according to various embodiments of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 14 and 15  show examples of a personal storage device according to embodiments of the present invention in use;  
       FIG. 16  shows a tracking device that may be included in a personal storage device according to embodiments of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 17  shows a system for tracking and displaying the tracking device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Embodiments of the present invention relate to a personal storage device comprising one or more containers and an adhesive surface removably affixable to skin. A container according to embodiments of the invention may be of any kind, including a pocket, pouch, sack, bag, sleeve, sheath, envelope, or the like, and may be of any construction, including of unitary or single-part construction, such as a single piece of material formed into a sack or bag, or of multi-part construction, such as two pieces of material joined to form an interior space, or straps or sleeves or netting or the like to retain an object.  
       FIG. 1  shows one possible embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a personal storage device  100  may comprise an attachment part  101 , an outer or facing part  102 , and adhesive  103 . It should be understood that while  FIG. 1  shows the adhesive  103  as a separate, distinct body or layer that is co-extensive with the attachment part  101 , this is only for purposes of distinctly illustrating elements of the present invention. In actual practice, the adhesive  103  is on a surface of the attachment part  101 . Specifically, the adhesive  103  may be on the surface of the attachment part  101  opposite the surface facing or adjoining the facing part  102 . Thus, a surface of the facing part  102  opposite the adjoining surface of the attachment part  101  may face away or outwardly from a surface to which the attachment part  101  is attached by the adhesive  103 . The adhesive  103  may be a continuous coating on a surface of the attachment part  101 , and could be applied in some particular shape on a surface of the attachment part  101 . Alternatively, the adhesive  103  could be applied in a discontinuous or segmented shape or discontinuous regular or irregular distribution on a surface of the attachment part  101 .  
      Though not shown, in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the facing and attachment parts may be joined along edges thereof to form a container having an interior space. Access to the interior space may be provided by simply leaving an edge of each of the attachment and facing parts not joined. Alternatively or additionally, the personal storage device  100  may comprise an opening  104  and a closure mechanism  105  associated with the opening  104 . The opening  104  may be a slit or other discontinuity in the material of the facing part  102  to provide access to the interior space. The closure mechanism  105  may have a corresponding opening  106  and be arranged over the opening  104  so that the opening  106  and the opening  104  coincide. The closure mechanism  105  may be fastened to an outer surface of the facing part  102 . The closure mechanism  105  may further have a movable flap  107  that can be placed over the opening  104  to close it. In a typical use, the adhesive layer  103  coating the attachment part  101  may be applied to a person&#39;s skin to affix the personal storage device  100  to the person&#39;s body. An item or items may be placed in the interior space of the container formed by the facing and attachment parts via the opening, and carried about. The personal storage device may be subsequently removed from the skin, and either discarded or re-used.  
       FIG. 2  shows an alternative embodiment of a personal storage device  200 . Device  200  comprises an attachment part  201  and a facing part  202  formed on or fastened to the attachment part  201  to form a container having an interior space. The attachment part  201  may have an adhesive on a surface thereof opposite the surface visible in  FIG. 2 , i.e., opposite to the surface to which the facing part  202  is fastened or formed on. The device  200  may further comprise a closure mechanism including mating zipper parts  204  and  205 . The closure mechanism may be disengaged to form an opening  203  giving access to the interior space of the container formed by the facing part  202  and the attachment part  201 .  
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show plan and perspective views, respectively, of another alternative embodiment of a personal storage device  300 . The device  300  comprises an attachment part  301  and a facing part  302  formed on or fastened to the attachment part  301  to form a container. A closure mechanism of device  300  comprises a movable flap  303  and a fastening mechanism including mating snap parts  304  and  305 .  
       FIGS. 4, 5  and  6  show further alternative embodiments.  FIG. 4  shows a device  400  comprising an attachment part  401  and a facing part  402  formed on or fastened to the attachment part  401  to form a container. More specifically, the facing part may be joined along three edges thereof to the attachment part, while leaving a fourth edge not joined to the attachment part. An opening  403  may be thereby formed for access to the interior space of the container.  
       FIG. 5  shows a personal storage device  500  similar to that shown in  FIG. 4  in that it includes an attachment part  501  and a facing part  502  formed on or fastened to the attachment part  501  to form a container, with an opening  503  for access to the interior space of the container. However, the embodiment of  FIG. 5  further includes a second container  507  formed on or fastened to the facing part  502 . The second container  507 , for example, could be used as a holder for a key or similarly dimensioned object. The holder  507  may be formed by an entry opening  505  and an exit opening  508  in the facing part  502 , with an extent of material between the entry opening  505  and the exit opening  508  forming a sleeve or sheath to retain an object such as a key  504  or similarly dimensioned object. An end opening  506  may further be provided in the facing part  502  for receiving and retaining an end of the key  504  or similarly dimensioned object.  
       FIG. 6  shows a personal storage device  600  adapted solely for holding a key or similarly dimensioned object. The device  600  may comprise an attachment part  601  and a facing part  602  formed on or fastened to the attachment part  601  to form a multi-part container. An upper opening  603  may be formed in the facing portion  602  to receive, within an upper part of the container, a head of a key  604  or similarly dimensioned object. An end opening  605  may further be provided in the facing part  602  to receive, within a lower part of the container, an end of the key  604  or similarly dimensioned object.  
       FIGS. 7, 8  and  9  show still further embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 7  shows an embodiment similar to that shown in  FIG. 5 , but with a second container such as a key holder oriented at an angle.  FIG. 8  shows an embodiment similar to that shown in  FIG. 6  in that it is adapted solely for solely for holding a key or similarly dimensioned object, but using a container like the container  507  of  FIG. 5 .  
       FIG. 9  shows a multi-container personal storage device  900  according to embodiments of the present invention. The device  900  comprises an attachment part  901  and a facing part  902  formed on or fastened to the attachment part  401  to form multiple containers  907  and  908 . Container  907  is shown holding a credit card  909 .  
      While the above has described a container formed from an attachment part and a facing part, in embodiments a container of the personal storage device, and an attachment part of the personal storage device, could be distinct and separable elements. For example, the container could be any of a pocket, pouch, sack, bag, sleeve, sheath, envelope, or the like, that is removably affixable to an attachment part, where the attachment part is in turn removably affixable to skin. For example, the attachment part could be a strip of material with an adhesive thereon for removably adhering to skin, and further with an attachment mechanism to removably attach a container thereto. For example, the attachment mechanism could include adhesive, a hook-and-loop fastener such as Velcro®, snaps, buttons or other fastening mechanisms.  
      Moreover, as noted earlier, the attachment part and the facing part of the container need not be distinct elements that are joined together. For example, the container may be a bag or pouch or the like of unitary or single-piece construction. An attachment part of a container of such unitary construction may be a surface thereof having an adhesive thereon, while a facing part of a container of such unitary construction may be a surface facing away or outwardly from a surface to which the attachment part is attached by the adhesive.  
      Materials that may be used to form a personal storage device according to embodiments of the present invention include natural and synthetic materials. The materials may be waterproof or water-resistant. The materials may include polymeric film, plastic foam, woven or non-woven fabric, knitted fabric, waterproof or water-resistant fabric, nylon, metal, leather, wood, plastic or any combination of the foregoing. The materials, including the adhesive, may be any one of, or combination of, flexible, stretchable or elastic, expandable, air-permeable, and capable of transferring heat. The attachment part, in particular, may be air-permeable, flexible, elastic, expandable and capable of transferring heat for user comfort. The container or containers of the personal storage device may be similarly air-permeable, flexible, elastic or stretchable, expandable, and capable of transferring heat. The present inventors have discovered that air-permeability or “breathability” of the materials of the personal storage device, including the adhesive, and flexibility, elasticity, expandability, stretchability and heat transfer capability thereof may be key factors in user comfort.  
      The container could have pleats to make it expandable like an accordion, and have dividers to form compartments in the container. Any kind of closure mechanism may associated with a personal storage device, including flaps, zippers and snaps as described above, and further including a hook-and-loop fastener such as Velcro®, buttons or other fastening or sealing mechanisms. The closure mechanism could be operable to repeatedly open and re-seal a container. The closure mechanism could create a waterproof or water-resistant seal. The closure mechanism could use surfaces with “co-adhesive” properties, such as are used in “self-sealing” envelopes. Surfaces with co-adhesive properties stick to each other, but do not stick or are less sticky when applied to other surfaces.  
      Human skin adhesion technology providing for a suitable degree of skin breathability, ease of removal, and convenient application of an adhesive according to embodiments of the present invention is well known, particularly, for example, in the bandage and the medical patches industries. Adhesives for such applications may include cyanoacrylates, for example. U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,229 (fully incorporated herein by reference), for example, relates to a bandage invention, and describes numerous possible options for hypoallergenic, skin-friendly adhesive. Thus, adhesive associated with the attachment part may include a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive or acrylic-based pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may be a hypoallergenic, non-toxic pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may be designed to have a desired adhesive strength combined with a desired level of ease of removal by, for example, controlling tackiness coefficients of the adhesive. For example, research suggests that a ball-tack coefficient ranging from 2 to 12 oz/inch will provide painless adhesion to a range of skin types, including dry, oily and sensitive skin. Strength of adhesion, breathability and removability may also be controlled by a distribution of adhesive in various patterns and shapes. As noted earlier, the adhesive may be applied in some discontinuous or broken distribution on a surface of the attachment part. In such a distribution, parts of the attachment part would not have adhesive thereon, while others would. The broken distribution could have some regular pattern, such as a checkerboard pattern, but could also be irregular. The adhesive may be waterproof or water-resistant. Similarly, the adhesive may be sweat-proof or sweat-resistant. The adhesive may be air-permeable (breathable), stretchable, elastic or expandable.  
      Known technologies for creating waterproof/water-resistant and/or sweat-proof/sweat-resistant adhesives are noted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,606 (incorporated fully herein by reference) describes an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive for use on human skin, where the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive may comprise at least one vinyl ester selected from the group consisting of alkyl (meth) acrylates, 1 or 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, vinyl acetate and N-methyl-2-pyrrolindone. The acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive may also comprise an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive than contains at least one hydroxyl group and carboxyl group. The acrylic component and a hydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylate or meth acrylic acid as a comonomer copolymerizable therewith.  
      Embodiments of the present invention may provide both wet and dry adhesion to the skin. For example, the device may be placed on dry skin that later is moistened by perspiration or activities such as swimming or other water sports. An example of technology for providing such a feature is noted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,092, incorporated fully herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,092 discloses a wet skin adhesive that includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive component that includes at least one monoethylenically unsaturated (meth) acrylic acid ester comprising an alkyl group having at least 4 carbons on average and at least one monoethylenically unsaturated reinforcing monomer; and a film-forming component that includes at least one monoethylenically unsaturated (meth) acrylic acid ester comprising an alkyl group having less than 4 carbons on average and at least one hydrophilic acidic monomer; wherein the wet-stick pressure sensitive adhesive has an initial wet skin of at least about 0.8 N/dm. Advantageously, the wet-stick adhesive has an initial wet skin adhesion that is at least about 65% of an initial dry skin adhesion.  
      Incorporated fully herein by reference, U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,957 discusses a pressure sensitive adhesive composition for skin adhesion and bandage applications which comprises (a) 100 parts by weight of a styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock or multiarm copolymer which has a coupling efficiency of 20 to 50%, an overall absolute arm molecular weight of 33,000 to 100,000, a polystyrene content of 18 to 30%, and a polystyrene block weight average molecular weight of 11,000 to 20,000, and (b) from 100 to 400 parts by weight of a styrene-isoprene diblock copolymer which has an overall absolute molecular weight of 20,000 to 40,000, a polystyrene content of 10 to 25%, and a polystyrene block weight average molecular weight of 4000 to 7000.  
      An adhesive according to embodiments of the present invention may have “super” holding power and require a release agent for detachment from a thing adhered to. Additionally or alternatively, an adhesive according to embodiments may be designed with an affinity to skin but not to hair. An adhesive according to embodiments could be designed to favor direction-specific forces for removal from a thing adhered to: i.e., the adhesive may detach from a surface more readily when force is applied in one direction as opposed to another.  
      Embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a non-adhesive removable release layer  1000  as shown in  FIG. 10  covering or otherwise associated with the adhesive on the attachment part to facilitate ease of handling. In  FIG. 10 , the release layer  1000  is shown with a personal storage device  400  of the style discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 , but any style could include a release layer. The release layer may be removed (e.g. peeled off) to expose the adhesive prior to application of the attachment part to the skin.  
      A personal storage device according to embodiments of the present invention may also be removably affixable to surfaces other than human skin. For example, a personal storage device may also be removably affixable to clothing or accessories such as purses, backpacks or luggage. The personal storage device could be designed to have an appearance such that it blended in with its surroundings, so as to be camouflaged. For example, the personal storage device could be flesh-colored. In embodiments, the adhesive may be applied to the attachment part post-purchase by a consumer.  
      Embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a texture, an image, a message, or a stylized facade, either solely or in any combination. The latter elements could be added to or formed on or from the facing part and/or a facing surface of the attachment part (i.e., a surface of the attachment part opposite the surface with adhesive) to create a more fashionable, personalized appearance for consumers. The image and/or message could be permanent or changeable. To implement a changeable image and/or message, for example, a transparent sleeve could be formed on or from the facing part, and different images and/or messages could be inserted into and removed from the sleeve. In the embodiment discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 , for example, the facing part  402  could be a transparent sleeve. The images and/or messages could include a pattern, a picture, a logo, a letter, a word, a number, a graphical design or symbol, or the like, either solely or in any combination. The messages could be advertising messages, for example.  
       FIGS. 11-13  show examples of the above.  FIG. 11  shows a personal storage device  1100  of a style similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 8 , above, with a decorative graphic or symbol  1101  thereon.  FIG. 12  shows a personal storage device  1200  of the style discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 , above, with a decoration or pattern  1201  and a brand name  1202  thereon.  FIG. 13  shows a personal storage device  1300  of the style discussed with reference to  FIG. 3A , above, with an advertising logo  1301   1302  thereon.  
       FIGS. 14 and 15  show examples of a personal storage device in use.  FIG. 14  shows a personal storage device  1400  affixed to clothing, i.e., to the shorts of the runner on the left side of the figure.  FIG. 14  further shows a personal storage device  1400  affixed to the skin of the right leg of the runner on the right side of the figure.  FIG. 15  shows a personal storage device  1500  affixed to the skin of the left leg of a person about to dive into a swimming pool.  
      Embodiments of the present invention may further include a tracking device. Such a feature could be useful, for example, in tracking the whereabouts of young children, disabled or elderly people, pets or others.  FIG. 16  shows a tracking device  1600  according to possible embodiments. The tracking device  1600  may comprise, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and location transmitter circuit module  1603 , a power source  1602 , an antenna(s) (not shown), and a protective covering or laminate  1601  for the module and power source. A waterproof or water-resistant container such as an envelope could also be provided for the tracking device. The tracking device  1600 , or tracking device plus envelope, could be placed within a container of a personal storage device according to embodiments of the present invention and used to track a wearer. The tracking device might be removable from the container and re-usable in a different container. Or, the container plus tracking device might be removable from the attachment part and re-usable with a different attachment part. The attachment part in this case could be an adhesive strip.  
      All or part of the tracking device could incorporated into or integrated with material of the personal storage device. For example, thin or flexible batteries, power cells (e.g., solar cells) or antennas could be embedded in a material of the personal storage device. Or, all or part of the tracking device could be, for example, sealed into a sub-compartment of the container.  
       FIG. 17  shows an operation of the personal storage device with tracking device. A personal storage device  1700  may include a tracking device  1600  therein. The tracking device  1600  receives signals  1701  from a GPS satellite telling the device  1600  its location. The tracking device  100 , in turn, sends signals  1702  including the location information to a cell phone tower  1703 , which sends signals  1704  with the location information to a cell phone  1705 . The cell phone  1705  may include a display window  1706  and digital logic for translating the location information into a map display on the window, showing the location  1707  of the tracking device. Though the example of  FIG. 17  has illustrated communication via a cellular network, the tracking device may use any communication method, including via any wireless network, the Internet, a paging system, a broadcast system, a radio communication link, and the like. Devices for receiving location information from the tracking device may further include, for example, a PDA unit or personal or business computer.  
      Embodiments of a personal storage device according to the present invention may further include a light (e.g., an LED or light-emitting diode) and a power source (e.g., a battery), personal electronics, reflective elements, transparent or translucent materials, biodegradable portions, edible portions capable of being consumed for nutritional or energy purposes, RFID (radio frequency identification) components, structures for add-on accessories such as pagers, cell phones or MP3 players, accommodation (e.g. a pocket or pockets) for bus passes, tickets, identification cards and the like, specific containment properties for medications, a capability for medication delivery via the adhesive, accommodation for refuse, specific containment properties for containing and/or protecting eyewear (e.g., glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and solution), accommodation for travel receipts, accommodation for athletic or exercise products such as energy gels, power bars and powders, accommodation for “Post-It” notes, scented materials such as deodorant (could be incorporated into device materials), accommodation for hormones, pheromones, etc., accommodation for Kleenex, paper towels or the like for cleaning, accommodation for programmable elements such as a microprocessor and memory chip to receive, e.g., personal identification data, an “electronic wallet” and so on, or accommodation for a timer, alarm or stopwatch. “Accommodation” and “specific containment properties” as used above means that the personal storage device may have structural features specifically for accommodating the noted items. For example, the personal storage device may have openings, contours, windows, compartments, retaining members or the like to accommodate and/or retain structural and/or operational features of the noted items.  
      Embodiments of the invention could further function as a bandage. Embodiments of the invention may include time indicators that, for example, change color or appearance over a certain duration of time when activated. Embodiments of the invention may be disposable and re-usable.  
      As discussed in the introductory portion, embodiments of the present invention may find useful applications (in addition to those noted above) in the storage and delivery of medicines and/or medical devices. For example, many medical pumps, such as insulin pumps, are nowadays quite small, perhaps on the order of a cell phone, and could be conveniently and unobtrusively carried in a personal storage device according to embodiments of the present invention. Mechanisms that collect medical data, such as event monitors, cardiac monitors, glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors and others, are also becoming smaller and smaller and thus well-suited for accommodation in a personal storage device according to embodiments of the present invention. The personal storage device may have structural features specifically for accommodating such devices. For example, the personal storage device may have openings, contours, windows, compartments, retaining members or the like to accommodate and/or retain hoses or wires or batteries or electronics or information readouts or the like associated with medical devices.  
      Several embodiments of the present invention are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.