Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/071,813, filed Oct. 4, 2014 for POCKET INNERWEAR; A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING STORAGE SYSTEMS IN UNDERGARMENTS AND CLOTHING, and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/122,438, filed Oct. 20, 2014 for POCKET INNERWEAR; A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING STORAGE SYSTEMS IN UNDERGARMENTS AND CLOTHING; A MEDICAL DEVICE ON PERSON STORAGE SYSTEM, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to clothing and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for creating specialized pockets therefor. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    Clothing is presumptively a part of modern culture. Having existed for millennia, articles of clothing originally began as robes, togas, and other articles ranging from undergarments to outer garments, and on to weatherproof outerwear. 
         [0006]    As a practical matter, pockets were not a part of clothing even as recently as the 19 th  century. Eventually, clothing came to include pockets. Thereafter, pockets were introduced as permanent parts of regular clothing. 
         [0007]    Open pockets are common. These include pockets having an opening accessible without opening any closure. Likewise, pockets having closures exist and have existed for many years. Closures may include buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, zippers, and the like. Typically, such closure mechanisms are secured to operate between a covering flap or the article of clothing itself, and an outer surface of a pocket itself. 
         [0008]    Pockets are a convenience. They can sometimes be an inconvenience. Pockets in articles of clothing are necessarily and most typically general purpose pockets to fit or receive a variety of items. Depending on convenience, structure of the article of clothing, and so forth, a closure may or may not be included. 
         [0009]    Often, a closure is not included, such as in a breast pocket of a dress shirt in men&#39;s clothing, an inside breast pocket in a sports coat, suit, dinner jacket, or other open shirt pocket. An inherent presumption for these is that the pocket will not be turned upside down. 
         [0010]    Work clothes, active wear, or clothing for athletic and other active endeavors may be more likely to include some type of covering (a flap or tab), having a closure mechanism to maintain it in a closed position and permit release for access to the pocket. 
         [0011]    Outer clothing or the presentation clothing that is typically seen by others than the wearer typically is comparatively loose fitting. Looseness itself presents certain problems in securing articles in pockets. Underwear, sports inner layers, exercise and yoga outfits, dance wear, and other innerwear may be form fitting or may also be loose. 
         [0012]    It would be an advance in the art to provide a new article of clothing, a new type of pocket, and a combination of both to provide more secure containment of articles within a pocket of innerwear on active users. 
         [0013]    It would be an advance in the art to provide certain improvements in closure systems. It would also be an advance in the art to provide easy access and re-closure with a single hand and no alignment or force. It would be an advance to provide to articles in a secure pocket for devices such as music play devices, mobile phones, insulin pumps, and the like. 
         [0014]    For example, type I diabetics, those acquiring the disease while juveniles, may rely on an insulin pump rather than periodic injections. An insulin pump has mass, has three dimensions of space that it occupies, and does not readily fit any current pocket system. Moreover, an infusion site will typically include a catheter for receiving a needle or probe from an insulin pump. Moreover, tubing extends between the infusion site and an insulin pump itself. Managing that pump, preventing kinks in it, concealing the tubing, managing it against being caught, cut, crimped, or the like is problematic. Meanwhile, reducing the length of the tube from a standard system is problematic, as it restricts movement. 
         [0015]    Thus, it would be an advance in the art to provide a pocket that is convenient, lightweight, secured firmly against the body of a user at a location that is not exposed to bumping, damage, or the like, and provides concealment yet easy access. A simple, smooth, unobtrusive pocket would be a substantial advance in the art. 
         [0016]    As another example, mobile telephones are ubiquitous. It would be an advance in the art to provide a system that is secure, yet easily accessible. In fact, it would be an advance in the art to provide a closure mechanism that does not require great attention, multiple hands, alignments, substantial force, tiny hands, or the like. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a pocket operating as a storage compartment having a unique cover and closing mechanism for the cover. This storage compartment or pocket may be stretchable, elastically to receive and retain a small item such as a mobile phone, debit card, personal electronics item, personal protection tool (e.g., spray, edged weapon, firearm), insulin pump, other medical device, or the like. 
         [0018]    It may be made of a larger size and placed in a location whereby it may be accessible for its purpose. For example, a flask, small book, tablet, an electronic tablet, or other personal effects may be secured therein. Likewise, in certain embodiments, a pocket in accordance with the invention may be smaller, specially sized, configured, and constructed to accommodate an insulin pump system. 
         [0019]    The cover is designed to secure any item placed therein, even in a fully upside down wearer position. Likewise, the cover is secured against jarring or quick changes of direction, such as may occur during athletic activities, including any number of games, climbing, running, work, and so forth. 
         [0020]    A feature of selected embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method in accordance with the invention may include a port or aperture, properly reinforced and stabilized as required or needed, for passing a line from the contained object within the pocket to a location outside the pocket. 
         [0021]    For example, a cover may include an aperture passing the cord (line) of a headset or earbuds from a contained MP3 or other audio player, mobile phone, iPod, or the like outside the pocket to the head and ears of a user. 
         [0022]    In another example, a pocket may include an interior aperture passing inward through the article of clothing to which the pocket is attached. This aperture may pass a line, such as an insulin tubing line, from an insulin pump contained within the pocket inward (or inside the apparel, considering that this is clothing) in order to reach an infusion site, typically on the abdomen of a user. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, a pocket in accordance with the invention may include a containment portion that represents and functions somewhat like a conventional pocket. 
         [0024]    Above and covering the containment portion is the cover portion. In such an embodiment, the containment portion is partially covered by the cover portion. This does not mean that the cover portion is simply a flap. A cover portion may be called a flap, but does not flap and cannot flap. Rather, the cover portion encloses and overlaps the upper edge of the containment portion. 
         [0025]    Moreover, the cover portion is fully seamed along (near) its left and right edges. Thus, an upper region and edge of the containment portion is overlapped by a lower portion and edge of the cover or cover portion. The cover portion is a pocket over a pocket, fully seamed on three sides or edges, along its left and right sides, as well as its top edges. 
         [0026]    The storage or containment portion is also seamed on three sides or edges, along its left and right edges and along its bottom edge. Thus, in one embodiment, a pocket in accordance with the invention actually includes two traditional pockets, one right side up and one upside down. The one upside down overlaps the upper portion and edge of the one that is right side up. 
         [0027]    One may ask how such a pocket opens. The pocket opens by displacement and distortion of one or both of the containment portion and the cover portion. 
         [0028]    For example, the bottom edge of the top portion or cover portion may be thought of as a lip, an upper lip of the mouth. Meanwhile, the upper edge of the containment portion or the lower portion may be considered a lower lip. The pocket is opened by reaching a member such as a digit of the hand inside under the cover portion, engaging the lower lip on the containment portion, and spreading the upper lip and lower lip apart. 
         [0029]    This necessarily involves distortion of the cover portion and containment portion. This may stretch the fabric of the cover, the containment, the base garment, or all three. It may instead (or also) draw their left and right sides closer together. However, the resulting open mouth then provides a sufficiently large opening to insert any object sized to be contained therein. 
         [0030]    Once an object to be contained is fully within the containment portion as far as it will go, the cover portion may be drawn over it if necessary. The natural movement of the underlying fabric of the article of clothing returns to a form fitting position on the user. This return to form fitting returns the containment portion to a location underneath the cover portion. The side seams of each draw the containment portion and cover portion automatically into proper alignment. 
         [0031]    No amount of movement can dislodge the contained object from the pocket. This is in large part because the pocket in accordance with the invention is not one but two pockets in the conventional sense. The pocket of the invention may be thought of as two conventional pockets inverted and overlapping one another. 
         [0032]    Depending on the application of the pocket in accordance with the invention, one ore more apertures may be formed. For passing a line out from the contained object to the environment outside (or inside) the article of clothing, an aperture may be formed. It may be augmented by one or more stabilization mechanisms, such as a binding seam, satin stitch, reinforcement, grommet, or the like. It may be sized to permit passage of a cord, plug or both to an audio jack, as known in the art, to plug into the contained object. 
         [0033]    By the same token, a system that contains an insulin pump, a hearing aid, another medical device, monitor of some type, or the like may rely on an aperture formed between the pocket and the inside of the article of clothing on which the pocket is sewn. Thus, the garment receives an aperture, properly stabilized by binding, reinforcement or other technique in order to durably pass a line from the object or device inside the containment portion. The line exits the pocket through the wall or fabric of the clothing article to be disposed as required. 
         [0034]    For example, in the case of an insulin pump, the line is a tube passing inward through clothing from an insulin pump as the object in a containment portion of the pocket. Passing to an infusion site, the line may terminate in a needle to be received inside a catheter installed to administer insulin to the wearer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]    The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0036]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a system in accordance with the invention illustrating various optional locations for positioning a pocket system in accordance with the invention in an article of clothing (e.g., innerwear) on a user; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a user wearing a system of innerwear containing pockets in the various optional locations in accordance with invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view illustrating various locations on a body of a user, where a band or cuff (e.g., garter) may secure a pocket in accordance with invention thereto; 
           [0042]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pocket in accordance with invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7B  is an alternative embodiment of a lace pocket in accordance with invention on the fabric of an article of clothing as in  FIGS. 1 through 6 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a pocket having an opening providing access to the interior of an article of clothing; 
           [0045]      FIG. 9A  is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a pocket, in accordance with invention, suitable for holding a device or object such as a mobile phone or audio player; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9B  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
           [0047]      FIG. 9C  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0048]      FIG. 9D  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
           [0049]      FIG. 9E  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0050]      FIG. 9F  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0051]      FIG. 10A  is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a pocket, in accordance with invention, such as may secure an insulin pump or other medical device; 
           [0052]      FIG. 10B  is a rear elevation view thereof, illustrating the pocket only, and not the base fabric of the article of clothing on which it is worn; 
           [0053]      FIG. 10C  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0054]      FIG. 10D  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
           [0055]      FIG. 10E  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0056]      FIG. 10F  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0057]      FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of a pocket in accordance with invention undergoing a process of opening, filling, and closing, including receiving an object and a line connected through a port to that object; 
           [0058]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of front and rear elevation views of a pocket undergoing a process for opening and filling a pocket in accordance with invention with an object, for example, an insulin pump, also including threading a line from the pump through an aperture into the interior of the article of clothing; and 
           [0059]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of various alternative embodiments of innerwear and outerwear, the former provided with various embodiments of pockets in accordance with invention, and the latter illustrating examples of outerwear that may be worn over innerwear, thus hiding a pocket in accordance with invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0060]    It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , while referring generally to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , a system  10  in accordance with the invention may include various articles  10   a ,  10   b  of innerwear  10 . Herein, whenever a reference numeral is used, it refers to the item identified thereby. Use of a trailing letter after a reference numeral refers to a specific instance of such an item as is indicated by the reference numeral. Thus, it is not necessary to define every instance, and one may speak of all instances by referring only to the numeral. 
         [0062]    Thus, a system  10  of innerwear  10  may include a top article  10   a , a bottom article  10   b , or both,  10   a ,  10   b . Typically, a surface  11  or outer surface  11  of such an article  10  will contain or exhibit some choice of color. As a practical matter, innerwear  10  may include sports wear, exercise clothing, athletic apparel, yoga or dance wear, biking shorts, underwear, or the like. Thus, a typical consideration and characterization of innerwear  10  in accordance with the system  10  is a form fitting garment whose outer surface  11  effectively tracks the surface of the skin of a user therebelow, against, or behind. 
         [0063]    As a practical matter, innerwear  10  may include an article of under clothing, or sports or athletic clothing that is used in gym or an athletic or recreational activity. Thus, although the expression “innerwear”  10  is used, in some situations, a wearer may actually treat the innerwear  10  as an outer layer of clothing. Nevertheless, in many situations, innerwear  10  may be covered with another outer layer of clothing that may be referred to as street clothing, or the like. 
         [0064]    A system  10  in accordance with the invention benefits from the form fitting nature of innerwear  10 , and may rely on that feature to provide securement, prevention of escape, and ready maintenance of momentum of a contained article near and with the body of a user. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 5 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , a system  10  of innerwear  10  may be presented with a frontal region  12  or frontal aspect  12 . A standing user or upright user may define an axis  13  running nominally vertically through the center of a user. Likewise, the article  10  may include a rear region  14  or rear aspect  14  covering the back surface of a user. 
         [0066]    In general, the fabric  15  of which the innerwear  10  is manufactured is typically formed of a fiber, whether natural or synthetic, having woven into it, or as an integral part of it, an elastomeric fiber. It is typically a knit fabric. Thus, the fabric  15 , when worn, is typically under tension along its surface  11 . This tension provides a certain amount of force. 
         [0067]    Tension is defined as a stress, which in engineering parlance is a unit of force per unit of area across which the force acts. Thus, a tensile force or tension force acting on a cross sectional area of a material, such as the fabric  15  may be defined as a tensile stress. 
         [0068]    Typically, the left side aspect  16  and the right side aspect  18  or regions  16 ,  18  are not entirely unique, compared to the frontal  12  and rear  14  aspects. Rather, the curvature of the human body provides an arcuate shape in which the different aspects  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  viewed are not mutually exclusive areas. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , and  FIGS. 1 through 13  generally, a system  10  may include a pocket  20 . A pocket  20  may be placed in any of several available locations. For example, the innerwear  10  may include a neck region  22  near a neck of a user. An arm region  24  may include simply an arm hole or may include a sleeve. Meanwhile, a shoulder region  25  may simplify to a narrow strap, or may include a larger panel covering a shoulder of a user, and extending to connect to a sleeve. 
         [0070]    Likewise, a torso region  26  may include the region from the shoulders and arms of a user down toward a hip region  32 . In fact, a torso region  26  may be considered to divide more or less into a thoracic region  27  above and an abdominal region  28  therebelow. A waist region  30  may separate the thoracic region  27  from the abdominal region  28 . However, may actually be somewhat coincident with the abdominal region  28 . Typically, a waist region  30  lies above the hip bone of a user. 
         [0071]    In that regard, the hip region may include that region from about the top of the hip bone down to about the beginning of a thigh. Thus, the thigh region  34  begins at some location below the hip of a user, and extends to about the knee region  36  near a knee  42   c  of a user. 
         [0072]    Similarly, a calf region  38  begins somewhere below the knee  36 , and includes the large calf  42   d  muscle area, down to some location above an ankle region  39 . The ankle region  39  extends between a calf region  38  and a foot. 
         [0073]    Within each of these regions  22 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  39 , exist various regions of relief  40  or relief regions  40  and protrusion regions  42 . A relief region  40  may be thought of as a region  40  that is adjacent to or somewhat protected by a protrusion region  42  in the vicinity. It may be selected to be inboard, outboard, front, or back of any bodily member, such as a thigh, arm, ankle, and so forth. 
         [0074]    For example, a relief region  40   a  in the shoulder region  25  forms something of a depression  40   a  between a shoulder and the pectoral muscles that tend to protrude therebeyond. Thus, a relief region  40   a  provides something of a depression or a region that is protected against bumping, jostling, impact, and the like by adjacent protrusions or protrusion regions. 
         [0075]    Similarly, a relief region  40   b  may be referred to as a sternum region  40   b , and typically operates as a depression below the pectoral region of a user. Similarly, a region  40   c  may be protected by an arm of a user and the pectoral muscles, rib cage, and so forth. 
         [0076]    A region  40   d  referred to here as a rib region  40   d  typically is protected by an arm outboard therefrom. It may be represented as a depression associated with a waist region  30  or a comparatively narrower part of the thoracic region  27 . 
         [0077]    A hip region  40   e ,  40   f  is that region forward of or behind a hip bone of a user. It is protected thereby. Because hands and arms will typically be outboard thereof, and the hip bones likewise, a flat  40   e ,  40   f ,  40   k  or depression  40   e ,  40   f ,  40   k  may exist wherein a pocket  20  may be located. Thus, one will see that the optional pockets, locations  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e ,  20   f ,  20   k  correspond to a shoulder pocket  20   a , sternum pocket  20   b , pectoral pocket  20   c , rib pocket  20   d , hip pocket  20   e , or hip pocket  20   f ,  20   k . Each of these pockets  20  may be positioned in a relief region  40  appropriate for where they are, without inconvenience, interference, or the like for a wearer. 
         [0078]    Similarly, a thigh pocket  20   g  may be located in a relief region  40   g  near the lower end of the thigh, and above a knee region  36 . Specifically, a knee  42   c  represents a protrusion. In both forward-to-backward dimensions and side-to-side dimensions, a knee  42   c  represents a protrusion region  42   c . Accordingly, immediately thereabove, a narrowing portion  40   g  of a thigh region  34  (relief region  40   g ) may receive a pocket  20   g  protected by the bulk of the muscles in the thigh region  34  and the bulk of the size of the knee  42   c , as protrusion regions  42   c ,  42   g.    
         [0079]    In yet another embodiment, a pocket  20   h  may be placed between a knee region  36 , or a knee  42   c , and the bulk muscle or calf  42   d  of the calf region  38 . Thus, for example, the bulk of the calf  42   d  muscle and the bulk of the knee  42   c  may provide a relief region  40   h  suitable for receiving a pocket  20   h.    
         [0080]    Similarly, an ankle pocket  20   g  may be placed in a relief region  40   j  between a foot of a user and the calf region  38 . Thus, the calf  42   d  operates as a protrusion  42   d  protecting the ankle relief region  40   j , and thus providing the location  40   j  for the ankle pocket  20   g.    
         [0081]    The various articles of clothing  10   a ,  10   b  or innerwear  10   a ,  10   b , may include a rather open expanse  44  sewn together at various locations or closed off at edges by seams  46 . Thus, any border  48  or edge  48  may be closed with a seam  46 . Similarly, the shape of a top article  10   a  or bottom article  10   b  may be determined and controlled by the shape of the open expanses  44 , and the locations of seams  46  securing them together. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , a cuff  49  or band  49  may form a particular stretching, elastomeric article  10  or article of innerwear  10 . The cuff  49  may include a pocket  20  oriented in any suitable direction for appropriate wear. Accordingly, in the figure, beginning at the top and moving clockwise, a cuff  49  may be placed in the top of a boot. Next, a cuff  49  may be worn in the lower area of a thigh region  34  above a knee region  36 . 
         [0083]    Similarly, in the calf region  38  a cuff  49  may be worn above the bulk of the calf  42   d  itself, and below the knee  42   c  in the available relief region  42   d . Similarly, the next location shows an ankle region  39  in which an ankle relief region  40   j  receives a cuff  49  containing and supporting a pocket  20 . Finally, in yet another alternative embodiment, a cuff  49  in the next configuration may fit between an elbow and a bicep (or between bicep and shoulder) on an arm of a user, thereby securing a pocket  20  thereat. 
         [0084]    Still referring to  FIG. 6 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , the cuff  49  or band  49  will typically rely on a certain degree of friction due to an elastomeric character. In certain embodiments, a cuff  49  may be a closed loop of material. In other embodiments, it may be openable and closed selectively with a fastener. For example, a zipper, snap, buttons, hook-and-loop fastener, or the like may be used to fit the band  49  snuggly around an appendage. 
         [0085]    In another example, when the cuff  49  is secured in the top of a boot, a portion of the cuff  49  may extend, exposing part of the pocket  20  outside the boot for access. Similarly, a band  49  or cuff  49  in an ankle region  39  may tuck inside a low boot or short boot, or be placed just above a shoe or short boot. 
         [0086]    Thus, a band  49  or cuff  49  may rely on another article of clothing, such as a boot, or shoe, to maintain its position. Likewise, it may rely on the change in cross section of a knee region  36  or the calf muscle in the calf region  38  to restrict it from sliding down with motion and gravity influences. In other embodiments, wherein the pocket  20  is secured to another innerwear article  10  then the supporting forces are provided by the system  10  itself, and need not be directly related to frictional forces, or changes in section, and so forth. 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 through 10F , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , a pocket  20  in accordance with the invention may actually include the system  10  including a particular article  10  of clothing that may be a top article  10   a , bottom article  10   b , or the band  49 . The article  10  is formed of, and represents, a fabric  15  or layer  15  to which a pocket  20  is secured. 
         [0088]    A pocket  20  may be made of a cover  52  overlapping a containment  54 . Both may be of the same or different fabrics  15 . “Stretch” fabrics  15  seem to serve best. They are typically “knit” fabrics. Cross-woven fabrics work, but require slack in the article  10  in not elastomeric. 
         [0089]    The cover  52  or top flap  52  is actually not a flap at all, but is a second conventional-like pocket  52  inverted. For example, the lower edge  53  of the cover  52  overlaps the top edge  54  of the main portion  54  or containment  54 . Thus, the cover  52  represents a “pocket” in a conventional sense that overlaps the main portion  54  of the pocket  20  or containment  54  of the pocket  20 . Thus, the overlap region, between the lower edge  53  or top lip  53  on a mouth region  50  or mouth  50 , overlapping the top edge  55  or bottom lip  55  provides securement of any content within the pocket  20 . 
         [0090]    Seams  58  are best double seams  58 . The mouth seam portion  56  extends, and may be sewn double that or more in order to secure against all the forces that will be applied repeatedly to open the mouth  50 . The mouth seam portion  56  may simply be an extension of the main seams  58  of the pocket  20 . 
         [0091]    For example, a top seam  58   a  secures a portion (e.g., top edge) of the cover  52 . A bottom seam  58   b  secures a portion (e.g., lower edge) of the containment  54  along its width  57   a . Meanwhile, the left side seam  58   c  and the right side seam  58   d  may extend along the entire height  57   b  (length  57   b ) of the pocket  20 . These  58   c ,  58   d  secure both the cover  52 , and the containment  54 . For durability, additional seaming  58  may be placed to secure the mouth seam portion  56  by resisting pulling forces when opened. 
         [0092]    In other embodiments, the mouth seam portion  56 , may simply be those portions of the side seams  58   c ,  58   d  that extend along the mouth region  50  between the lower edge  53  of the cover  52  and the top edge  55  of the containment  54 . 
         [0093]    One will also note that the apertures  60  may be single or multiple with respect to a particular pocket  20 . For example, in one embodiment, the aperture  60   a  may be placed through the material forming the cover  52 . A suitable reinforcement  61  such as a grommet  61 , a satin-stitch seam  61 , a button hole seam  61 , or the like may be used to reinforce the aperture  60 . Continuing use and wear of objects moving through the aperture  60  may be protected against by the reinforcement  61 . 
         [0094]    The seams  58  may be made by thread. In other embodiments, some other fastener  58  may include a bonding agent, such as a heat-activated glue or the like. Fusible fabrics including “iron-on” fabrics may bond or fuse. Thermoplastics may be used to form thermally activated glues. In other embodiments, a fabric formed of a synthetic material may be used to bond to the underlying clothing article  10 . 
         [0095]    A reinforcement patch  63   a  may optionally be added as a backing material to the fabric material  15  of the pocket  20 , or to the material of the fabric  15  of the clothing article  10  to which the pocket  20  is attached. 
         [0096]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , in the containment of an insulin pump  62   b  as the device  62  to be held within a pocket  20 , an additional loop  63   b  may be added. It may be secured by or may operate as a reinforcement  63   a  as well. However, typically, the accessories  63   a ,  63   b  or features  63   a ,  63   b  may be used for reinforcing the aperture  60   b , and stabilizing the apertures  60  against the line  64  that extends from the pocket  20 . 
         [0097]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A through 9F , in one embodiment of a pocket  20  in accordance with the invention, the pocket  20  may be sized to fit an object or device such as a mobile phone, electronic tablet, audio player, pocket book, debit card, tool, weapon, or the like. The size and shape of the pocket  20  may accordingly provide for a mouth region  50 . The mouth  50  will open adequately to receive the object  62  and automatically close to secure to it within the pocket  20 . Again,  FIGS. 9A through 9F  simply illustrate the details of the pocket  20 , and not the backing fabric  15  or article  10  that constitutes the principal garment  10  of the innerwear system  10 . 
         [0098]    In that regard, the system  10  may involve an article  10  visible as outerwear as well. However, the benefit of concealment is improved if the article  10  is innerwear, such as underwear  10 , base layers  10  of active wear  10  for sporting activities, or the like. Nevertheless, in some sports activities, the outerwear used includes singlets, tank tops, t-shirts, capris, tights, leggings, form fitting trousers or pants, shorts, and so forth. Thus, the underlying fabric  15  or article  10  formed of a fabric  15  is removed in  FIGS. 9A through 9F , and  FIGS. 10A through 10F  in order to simply illustrate the pocket  20  itself. 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A through 10F , in certain embodiments, the cover  52  of a pocket  20  need not contain an aperture  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket  20  of  FIGS. 10A through 10F  applies to various situations. In one embodiment, a line  64  may be passed out through the mouth region  50 , by passing over the top edge  55  of the containment  54 , and under the lower edge  53  of the cover  52  in order to pass outside the pocket  20 . 
         [0100]    However, in one currently contemplated embodiment, the pocket  20  relies on an aperture  60   b  formed in the underlying fabric  15  of the article  10  to which the pocket  20  attaches. For example, an insulin pump system  62   b  may pass a line  64  through an aperture  60   b  in the fabric  15 , toward the interior of the article  10 , between the body of a user, and the article  10 . 
         [0101]    Also, for example, a comparatively long line  64  delivering insulin to an infusion site may pass through the base material  15 . It may be collected or gathered in a loop  63   b  for that purpose. The residual length of the line  64  may then proceed on to the infusion site. To that end, a backer  63   a  or reinforcement  63   a  may be sewn, ironed, or otherwise bonded to the fabric  15  to extend about the aperture  60   b.    
         [0102]    A similar patch  63   a  or reinforcement  63   a  may be placed under the loop  63   b  to stabilize that elastic loop  63   b  with respect to the fabric  15  of the article  10  by distributing forces, the reinforcement  63   a  resists tearing, separation, or excessive distortion. 
         [0103]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , use of a system  10  in accordance with the invention may involve the use of a pocket  20  illustrated by the configuration  20   a  of  FIG. 11 . Digits (fingers, thumb, both) of a user may be inserted under the cover  52  and over the containment  54 . One may hook the edge  53  to draw open the mouth  50   a  into an open configuration. Thereafter, in the configuration  20   c , the pocket  20   c , receives an object  62  or device  62  placed into the open mouth  50   a.    
         [0104]    Once the object  62  or device  62  has been placed inside the containment  54 , the edge  53  cover  52  may be drawn over the top of the object  62 , if the object  62  is taller than the edge  55 . Otherwise, release will let the cover  52  return automatically, thus arriving at the closed and filled configuration of the pocket  20   d.    
         [0105]    Ultimately, in the pocket  20   d  or the configuration of the pocket  20   d , a line  64  may be placed through the aperture  60   a . This may be done by placing a plug through the aperture  60   a  into a jack in the object  62 . In this instance, the illustrated embodiment of the line  64  connects to earbuds  68 , such as those used in listening to an audio player, mobile phone, or the like. 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a pocket  20  may be configured as an insulin pump pocket  20   a  in a closed configuration  20   a . It may be opened by drawing apart the lower edge  53  of the cover  52  away from the upper edge  55  of the containment  54 . Thus, the pocket  20   b  is effectively a pocket  20  in the configuration of being opened at the mouth  50 . 
         [0107]    In the configuration  20   c  of the pocket  20  the insertion configuration  20   c  includes the pump system  62   b  being inserted into the mouth  50  to be secured within the containment  54 . Again, once the device  62 , in this case a pump  62   b  system, is securely within the containment  54 , the cover  52  may be drawn down (automatically or by finger) over the containment  54 . This results in the configuration  20   d  of the pocket  20 . 
         [0108]    From the back side of the article  10  to which the pocket  20  pertains, as illustrated, the reinforcement patch  63   a  may surround the aperture  60 . Meanwhile, an elastic loop  63   b  may secure to the article  10  of clothing. It may have its own backing  63   a  therebetween. Excess line  64  for delivering insulin to an infusion site from the pump system  62   b  may be gathered and secured by the loop  63   b.    
         [0109]    One will note that the cover  52  may constitute another, inverted, conventional pocket, where the word term “pocket” here now means a conventional pocket  20 . It inverts over and opposite the containment  54  or main compartment  54 . Two conventional pockets inverted may render both inoperable. However, a conventional pocket as a top cover  52 , provides securement against inverted users, active motion, jostling, bouncing, and the like of objects  62  or devices  62  within the pocket  20 . Virtually any motion short of ripping fabric  15  will not result in release of the device  62 , under any circumstance. 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , while to continue generally to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , various types of innerwear are illustrated. For example, moving clockwise from the top of the figure a pair of tights  80   a  or leggings  80   a , a pair of shorts  80   b , and the like represent innerwear bottom portions  10   b . Meanwhile, the tank top  80   c , t-shirt  80   d , and camisole  80   e  represent innerwear tops  10   a . The pocket  20  in accordance with the invention may be worn on any of these articles  10  in an appropriate location, at least one of which is included in each. 
         [0111]    Nevertheless, in such embodiments, if the particular article  10  is worn as the outermost layer, the pocket  20  will be visible, whether that is desired or not. When the pocket  20  should be hidden, another layer  76 , outerwear  76 , may cover the innerwear  10 . For example, a conventional, loosely fitted jacket  70   a , blouse  70   b , skirt  70   c , or trouser  70   d  may be worn over any corresponding article of innerwear  10  as a top outerwear piece  76   a  or a bottom outerwear piece  76   b . Thus, any of the objects  62 , devices  62 , or others  62  may be carried in a pocket  20  suitably configured, on any particular article  10  in a system  10  in accordance with the invention. 
         [0112]    As one can see, a pocket  20  in a system  10  in accordance with the invention ensures that items cannot fall out. A pocket  20  may be hidden or strategically placed on an item of innerwear  10 , which may include athletic clothing  10 , dance wear  10 , yoga wear  10 , exercise wear  10 , and similar articles  10 . Likewise, underwear  10  (e.g., briefs, bras, camisoles, under shirts, tights, etc.) and the like may also receive pockets  20  in accordance with the invention. 
         [0113]    Typically, the materials  15  or fabrics  15  of which the pockets  20  and articles of clothing  10  are fabricated include elastomeric (elastic) fibers, are knit, or both, so they are typically “stretchy.” Lace, netting, and other deformable, discontinuous-surface fabrics  15  may also be used. See-through fabrics may permit operation of devices through front control panels  72  on their faces  74  without removal from the pocket  20 . 
         [0114]    For example, Spandex™ is a fabric that includes elastomeric fibers as well as conventional fibers such as synthetic materials (nylon, polyester, etc.) natural materials (e.g., cotton, wool, etc.). It serves well for such functions. Similarly, any elastomeric fabric  15  may be suitable for pockets  20 . In certain embodiments, the pockets  20  may be formed of lace, netting, latticed materials, loosely woven materials, knit materials, and so forth. 
         [0115]    Even without stretch fabrics, a mouth  50  of a pocket  20  may be opened by gathering and pulling on the underlying fabric  15  of the article  10  of clothing. However, it has been found suitable to use a stretch fabric  15  for the article of clothing  10  as well as the pocket  20 . 
         [0116]    Such a system  20  having a containment portion  54  and a cover portion  52  is effectively two pockets, in a conventional sense. That is, each is seamed  58  on three sides. The two components  52 ,  54  share an overlapping mouth area  50 . Such a system  10  is suitable for holding a cell phone  62   a , debit card  62   a , cigarettes  62   a , insulin pump  62   a , other objects  62 , or the like. Larger items such as smart phones, electronic notepads, small tablets, paperback books, flasks, handguns, and the like may be held in larger embodiments of the pockets  20 . 
         [0117]    Whether turned upside down, jarred, or exposed to rapid movements otherwise, even a heavy mobile phone cannot be jarred out of the pocket  20 . The cover  52  being sewn  58  on three sides and having a shared mouth seam region  56  on the sides  58   c ,  58   d  may effect closure automatically with no intervening actions by the hand of a user. Simply put, the fabric  15  of the article of clothing  10  draws the mouth  50  closed automatically due to the form-fitting nature of the article of clothing  10 . 
         [0118]    The materials may include radiation-frequency-blocking fabric. Radio frequencies in the range of from about ten megahertz up through about thirty gigahertz may be blocked by available fabrics  15 . Each of the fabrics  15  in an article of clothing  10 , a pocket  20 , or both may be lined with or formed of a radiation-frequency-blocking fabric of this type. For example, whether bonded together as a layered or laminated fabric  15 , or sewn on after-the-fact with the pocket  20 , such a liner may line the article  10 , the pocket  20 , or both against the escape of radiation within the selected frequency range. 
         [0119]    Stretch laces have been found suitable. The band  49  (strap  49 , cuff  49 , garter  49 , or the like) provides a method to implement a pocket  20  in the absence of another, larger, covering article  10 . Tank tops  80   c , leggings  80   a , biking shorts  80   b , boots  84 , and the like all receive and carry well the pockets  20  in accordance with the invention. 
         [0120]    It has been found that double stitching the seams  58   a ,  58   b ,  58   c , and  58   d  seems to serve best. It is not required. In fact, in some embodiments, a zig zag stitch or the like has been found suitable. Similarly, as can be seen, the lace edge  53  in  FIG. 7B  forms the lip  53  or lower edge  53  of the cover  52 . Thus, the decorative element completely obscures any sewing or the presence of the mouth region  50 . 
         [0121]    Typically, the materials may be from about three to about four inches (7.5 to 10 cm) wide, and from about five to about seven inches (12.5 to 18 cm) long. For example, the width  57   a  and the length  57   b  of a pocket  20  may be sized for the specific device  62 . For smart phones  62   a  and the like, a pocket  20  on the order of three and a half inches (8 cm) by about six inches (15 cm) has been found suitable for cell phone use. On the other hand, it has been found that a width  57   a  of about three inches (7.5 cm) wide with a length  57   b  of about four to five and a half inches (10 to 14 cm) is functional for an insulin pump  62   b . In most insulin pump systems  62   b , an overall height of about four inches (ten centimeters) has been found suitable. 
         [0122]    Typically, an insulin pocket  20 , such as a hip pocket  20   e ,  20   f  may typically be positioned about three inches (7.5 cm) above a bottom edge of top  10   a . This should be just below and in board of the top of the hip bone. Typically in rib placement, for an adult, a height of about ten inches (25 cm) above the bottom of a tank top  80   c  or the like is adequate. 
         [0123]    In general, for a child, a target dimension or distance between the bottom seam  58   b  of a pocket  20  and the bottom edge of a top article  10   a  may be about three inches (7.5 cm). For adults, a distance of about three inches (7.5 cm) also serves for an insulin pocket  20  as a hip pocket  20   e ,  20   f . Rib pockets  20   d ,  20   k  on the other hand at ten inches (25 cm) above the bottom edge of the article  10   a  may be suitable for women with about twelve inches (30 cm) suitable for men, depending, of course, on height and build for each. 
         [0124]    Location of a pocket  20  is a matter of convenience and comfort. Typically, relief locations  40  are no-hit spots  40  where a contained device  62  is unlikely to be struck, damaged, moved, or to transfer impact to a user. Typically, such relief regions  40  cover soft tissues of the body and are obscured or hidden within the body&#39;s outer profile. Thus, they may be placed in any of the locations illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5  or others. 
         [0125]    However, the hip locations  40   e ,  40   f  and the rib locations  20   d ,  20   k  may serve best as locations  40  for insulin pockets  20 . For some adults, a sternum pocket  20   b  may also serve as a suitable insulin pump pocket  20 . One reason for this is that infusion sites are typically around the abdomen, the belly, where tissues are thicker, less mobile, with comparatively large expanses available. This avoids interference from bones, thin layers of tissue over joints, and the like. 
         [0126]    Whether worn on snug outer clothing, other types of wear such as innerwear, underwear, briefs, or the like, the controller  67  of devices  62  may be accessible for control through the pocket  20  if they have a control screen  66  or control button  72  on a front face  74  thereof. For example, an insulin pump system  62   a  may include a cylinder  65  or reservoir  65  integrated therewith or in nearby proximity. In such an embodiment, a screen  66  or control panel  66  may sit on a front face  74  where it is viewable through netting or lace forming the containment portion  54  of a pocket  20 . Thus, it has been found that the control panel  66  may be operated by a user without removing the device  62  from within the pocket  20 . 
         [0127]    Of course, the specific locations of various pockets  20  on various articles of clothing  10  may vary depending on the size of a user. For example, a size two through four toddler may wear a top  10   a  about thirteen inches long (33 cm) by about six inches wide (15 cm). Meanwhile, shirts size five through eight in children&#39;s sizes may be about fifteen inches long (38 cm) by about eight inches wide (20 cm). Shirts in sizes nine through ten are about seventeen inches long (43 cm) by about ten inches wide (24 cm). 
         [0128]    Larger innerwear top  10   a  sizes for adults, particularly women, may range from about twelve inches across (30 cm) to about fifteen inches long (38 cm). Heights corresponding thereto range from about twenty seven inches (68 cm) to about thirty inches (76 cm). 
         [0129]    For men, innerwear shirts  10   a  may range from about fifteen inches (38 cm) to about eighteen inches (45 cm). Corresponding heights range from about thirty inches (76 cm) to about thirty three inches (83 cm). 
         [0130]    Typically, a button hole of about seven millimeters length is adequate for an aperture  60 . Meanwhile, the seams  61  or other reinforcements  61  therearound may be a satin stitch button hole seam  60  as is known in the art, a grommet  61  or the like. The button hole  60  may range from about seven millimeters to about twenty millimeters in diameter. The size of the aperture  60  may actually be a matter of personal choice. 
         [0131]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its purposes, functions, structures, or operational characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Technology Category: 1