Abstract:
The present invention relates to clothing items such as pants or shoulder bags incorporating urine bag pockets suitable for holding a urine bag. Through the invention, incontinence sufferers are able to maintain mobility while still concealing a urine bag.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Incontinence refers to a patient&#39;s inability to control the evacuation of the bladder. The condition can be caused by a number of reasons, such as stress, strong urge to urinate, overflow, age, or transient. To address incontinence and allow a patient mobility, urinary catheterization is utilized. The urine delivered via the catheter is usually collected in a urine bag. 
         [0002]    Many patients who wear a urine bag do not like the unusual appearance. The appearance of carrying a urine bag hurts a patient&#39;s confidence and self-esteem. Most patients prefer to conceal the urine bag in the best way, for example, hanging the urine bag on their waist and covering it up by an overcoat, or tying the urine bag on the leg and covering it with pants. 
         [0003]    Further, the urine bag is required to be emptied. This is performed via valve. This valve is required to be readily accessible, while hidden at the same time. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over prior art devices for camouflaging urine bags. 
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to clothing incorporating a urine bag pocket suitable for holding a urine bag. Clothing items include pants, shorts, coats, bags, etc. The urine bag pocket can be positioned anywhere on the clothing item, provided the catheter is allowed an easy path to the penis or bladder. Through the present invention, incontinence sufferers maintain dignity while still being mobile as the urine bag is sufficiently camouflaged. 
     
    
     
         [0006]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a clothing item incorporating the present urine bag pocket; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2(   a ) shows the urine bag pocket in a clothing item is relation to a patient&#39;s leg; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2(   b ) shows a urine bag to be inserted into the present urine bag pocket; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a bag incorporating the present urine bag pocket; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows the present urine bag pocket in a different position on the clothing item; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows the insertion of a urine bag into the urine bag pocket. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    The following description of certain exemplary embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0014]    Now, to  FIGS. 1-5 , 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an embodiment of a pants  103  incorporating the urine bag pocket  101 . In this particular embodiment, the urine bag pocket  101  is located near the lower portion of one pant leg. The bag pocket  101  is positioned snug against the clothing item  101  and on the outside. The size of pocket  101  can vary, dependent on the size of the urine bag to be incorporated in the pocket  101 . The appearance of the pocket  101  preferably matches the clothing item  103 , such as having the same color, texture, etc. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2(   a ) shows the incorporation of the urine bag  205  in the urine bag pocket  201  of a clothing item  203 . 
         [0017]    As shown, the urine bag pocket  201  is of a dimension to match the urine bag  203 . The pocket  201  possesses an opening flap (not shown) on its backside whereby the urine bag  205  is inserted. The pocket  201  also possesses a downward flap  208 . The downward flap  208  helps to further camouflage the bag  205  while still allowing easy access to the discharge valve  209 , from which the bag  205  can be emptied of urine. The pocket  201  also includes an input for the catheter tube  207  from the user&#39;s penis or bladder. The catheter tube  207  can be directed against the user&#39;s leg  211 . In an alternative embodiment, the catheter tube  207  can be directed along a channel on the inside of the clothing item  203 , for example a seam. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2(   b ) shows a urine bag  205  suitable for placement in a clothing item of the present invention. The urine bag  205  includes a catheter  207  and tube for insertion into a user&#39;s penis or bladder, and a discharge valve  209  for emptying the bag  205 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 3(   a ) shows an embodiment of a clothing item incorporating the urine bag pocket  301 , wherein the clothing item is a shoulder bag  301 . In use, the shoulder bag  301  is carried adjacent to the waist of the user,  303 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 3(   b ), the urine bag pocket  307  is positioned at the back side of the shoulder  305 . The urine bag packet  307  possesses an outlet whereby the catheter tube can exit from, as well as a cover flap  309  for emptying the urine bag. As stated, the shoulder bag  305  is carried adjacent to the user&#39;s waist. The catheter tube  311  is directed to the penis or bladder of the user. The way the shoulder bag  305  is carried, the catheter tube  311  is hidden. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the urine bag pocket  403  is positioned on the upper side of a pair of pants  401 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows the insertion of a urine bag  501  into the present urine bag pocket  503 . The urine bag pocket  503  possesses an opening  506  on its backside into which the urine bag  501  is inserted. The opening  506  can be closed with, for example, a zipper, hook-and-loop, or fasteners. After insertion, the discharge valve  507  of the urine bag  501  is inserted through a lower opening  504 . A downward flap  505  covers the discharge valve  507  after it is inserted through the lower opening  504 . 
         [0023]    Having described embodiments of the present system with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present system is not limited to the precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0024]    In interpreting the appended claims, it should be understood that: 
         [0025]    a) the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or acts than those listed in the given claim; 
         [0026]    b) the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements; 
         [0027]    c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their scope; 
         [0028]    d) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be combined together or separated into further portions unless specifically stated otherwise; and 
         [0029]    e) no specific sequence of acts or steps is intended to be required unless specifically indicated.