U.S. patent application number 09/824705 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for disposable gown.
Invention is credited to Matsushita, Michiyo, Saito, Akiko.
Application Number | 20010032346 09/824705 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18631564 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsushita, Michiyo ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
Disposable gown
Abstract
A disposable gown includes front and rear trunk regions. The
front trunk region has a first neckline extending transversely and
first armhole lines rectilinearly and obliquely extending downward
from lateral ends of the first neckline toward respective armpits.
The rear trunk region has a second neckline extending transversely
and second armhole lines rectilinearly and obliquely extending
downward from lateral ends of the second neckline toward the
armpits. A crossing angle .theta.1 between both first extensions
generated when the first armhole lines are extended upward from
lateral ends of the first neckline is larger than a crossing angle
.theta.2 between the both second extensions generated when the
second armhole lines are extended upward from lateral ends of the
second neckline. Each of sleeves is bonded to a basic trunk portion
so that each of the first armhole lines of the front trunk region
may coincide with a first sleeve bonding line of each of the
sleeves and each of the second armhole lines of the rear trunk
region may coincide with a second sleeve bonding line of each of
the sleeves.
Inventors: |
Matsushita, Michiyo;
(Kagawa-ken, JP) ; Saito, Akiko; (Kagawa-ken,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN GOPSTEIN
GILMAN & BERNER, LLP
Suite 310
1700 Diagonal Road
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
18631564 |
Appl. No.: |
09/824705 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/83 ; 2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1209
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/83 ; 2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41B 001/00; A41D
001/00; A41D 010/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 21, 2000 |
JP |
2000-120812 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A disposable gown composed of a basic trunk portion having a
front trunk region covering the breast and belly of a wearer and a
rear trunk region covering the back of the wearer, and both sleeves
attached to the both sides of the upper end of said basic trunk
portion, wherein: the front trunk region has a first neckline
extending transversely in the middle of the upper end of the front
trunk region and first armhole lines rectilinearly and obliquely
extending downward from lateral ends of said first neckline toward
respective armpits of said basic trunk portion, said rear trunk
region has a second neckline extending transversely in the middle
of its upper end and second armhole lines rectilinearly and
obliquely extending downward from lateral ends of said second
neckline toward said armpits, and a crossing angle .theta.1 between
both first extensions generated when said first armhole lines are
extended upward from lateral ends of said first neckline is larger
than a crossing angle .theta.2 between the both second extensions
generated when said second armhole lines are extended upward from
lateral ends of said second neckline; and each of said sleeves has
a first sleeve bonding line extending straight parallel to the
first armhole line of said front trunk region and a second sleeve
bonding line extending straight parallel to the second armhole of
said rear trunk region, each of said sleeves being bonded to said
basic trunk portion so that each of the first armhole lines of said
front trunk region may coincide with the first sleeve bonding line
of each of said sleeves and each of the second armhole lines of
said rear trunk region may coincide with the second sleeve bonding
line of each of said sleeves.
2. The gown according to claim 1, wherein said crossing angle
.theta.1 is in the range of 35.degree.-160.degree. and said
crossing angle .theta.2 is in the range of
30.degree.-155.degree..
3. The gown according to claim 1, wherein said rear trunk region
has a first rear trunk half contiguous to one side edge of said
front trunk region and a second rear trunk half contiguous to the
other said edge of said front trunk region.
4. The gown according to claim 1, wherein said basic trunk portion
and each of said sleeves are formed with a non-woven fabric or a
laminated sheet made of a non-woven fabric and a thermoplastic
synthetic resin sheet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a disposable gown, for example,
outerwear for surgical operations, outerwear for patients,
sleepwear for patients or the like.
[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1994-207301A
describes a disposable gown of rear side closable type comprising a
basic trunk portion of which a rear trunk region divided into right
and left halves and both sleeves attached to the both sides of the
upper end of the basic trunk portion and has tying cords for
fastening the basic trunk portion to the wearer's body from its
outside.
[0003] According to the gown of prior art, the basic trunk portion
has a neckline extending transversely in the middle of the upper
end of the front and rear trunk regions and armholes obliquely
extending downward from both lateral ends of the neckline toward
respective armpits of the basic trunk portion. A proximal end of
each sleeve is bonded to the armhole of the basic trunk portion
along a periphery of the armhole. However, in the case of this gown
of prior art, the respective armhole halves of the front and rear
trunk regions extend rectilinearly parallel to and in coincidence
with each other. Such arrangement makes it difficult for the upper
part of the trunk portion to follow a roundness of the wearer's
shoulder zone, as compared with a gown in which the armhole
respective halves extend to describe circular arcs so that a
circular opening may be defined. In the gown of prior art, when the
wearer thereof intends to stretch his or her arms forward or to
bend his or her elbows, local tension acts on the upper part of the
rear trunk region and thereby movement of the arms is restrained by
the rear trunk region. Consequently, smooth movement of the
operating wearer is remarkably restricted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the problem as has been described above, it is a
principal object of this invention to provide a disposable gown
improved so that, even if the armholes on the side of the basic
trunk portion as well as the distal ends of the respective sleeves
both rectilinearly extending are bonded together, movement of
wearer's arms may be free from restriction by the rear trunk region
and thereby a desired smooth movement of the operating wearer may
be ensured.
[0005] The object set forth above is achieved, according to this
invention, by an improvement in the disposable gown composed of a
basic trunk portion having a front trunk region covering the breast
and belly of a wearer and a rear trunk region covering the back of
the wearer, and both sleeves attached to the both sides of the
upper end of the basic trunk portion.
[0006] The improvement according to this invention is in that the
front trunk region has a first neckline extending transversely in
the middle of the upper end of the front trunk region and first
armhole lines rectilinearly and obliquely extending downward from
lateral ends of the first neckline toward respective armpits of the
basic trunk portion, the rear trunk region has a second neckline
extending transversely in the middle of its upper end and second
armhole lines rectilinearly and obliquely extending downward from
lateral ends of the second neckline toward the armpits, and a
crossing angle .theta.1 between both first extensions generated
when the first armhole lines are extended upward from lateral ends
of the first neckline is larger than a crossing angle .theta.2
between the both second extensions generated when the second
armhole lines are extended upward from lateral ends of the second
neckline; and
[0007] each of the sleeves has a first sleeve bonding line
extending straight parallel to the first armhole line of the front
trunk region and a second sleeve bonding line extending straight
parallel to the second armhole of the rear trunk region, each of
the sleeves being bonded to the basic trunk portion so that each of
the first armhole lines of the front trunk region may coincide with
the first sleeve bonding line of each of the sleeves and each of
the second armhole lines of the rear trunk region may coincide with
the second sleeve bonding line of each of the sleeves.
[0008] According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, the
crossing angle .theta.1 is in the range of 35.degree.-160.degree.
and the crossing angle .theta.2 is in the range of
30.degree.-155.degree..
[0009] According to another preferred embodiment of this invention,
the rear trunk region has a first rear trunk half contiguous to one
side edge of the front trunk region and a second rear trunk half
contiguous to the other the edge of the front trunk region.
[0010] According to still another preferred embodiment of this
invention, the basic trunk portion and each of the sleeves are
formed with non-woven fabric or a laminated sheet made of non-woven
fabric and a thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the disposable gown
constructed according to the principle of this invention as viewed
from the front;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a exploded plan view of the gown shown in the FIG.
1; and
[0013] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the gown showing its basic trunk
portion and its both sleeves as bonded each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Details of the disposable gown according to this invention
will be more fully understood from the description given hereunder
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0015] FIGS. 1, 2 are a perspective view showing a disposable gown
1 which can be closed at the rear area as viewed from the front,
and a exploded plan view of the gown 1 shown in FIG. 1,
respectively. FIG. 1 shows a rear trunk region 4 as opened
laterally outward and one sleeve 5A as folded onto a front trunk
region 3. The gown 1 consists of a basic trunk portion 2 and both
sleeves 5A, 5B attached to both sides in the upper end region of
the basic trunk portion 2. When the gown 1 is worn, a neck opening
is formed between the both sleeves 5A, 5B in the upper end region
of the basic trunk portion 2, and a hem opening is formed in the
lower end region of the basic trunk portion 2 (not shown).
[0016] The basic trunk portion 2 consists of the front trunk region
3 covering wearer's breast and belly and the rear trunk region 4
covering wearer's back, each separately prepared. Each of the
sleeves 5A, 5B has a trunk facing area 5c, a cuff 5d, and a
shoulder covering area 5e, defining, as a whole, a cylindrical form
tapered from the shoulder covering area 5e to the cuff 5d. Ribbed
member 6 is attached to each cuff 5d of the sleeves 5A, 5B. The
ribbed member 6 is elastically stretchable in the circumferential
direction.
[0017] The front trunk region 3 has both side edges 3a extending
parallel each other longitudinally, and upper and lower ends 3b, 3c
extending parallel each other transversely. A first neckline 3d
extends transversely substantially in the middle of the upper edge
3b of the front trunk region 3. Each of first armhole lines 3e
extends straight transversely between both lateral ends of the
first neckline 3d and the both side edges 3a, respectively. In the
front trunk region 3, the first neckline 3d describes a circular
arc so that it is convexly curved in the direction of the lower end
3c, and the first armhole lines 3e obliquely extend downward from
the both lateral ends of the first neckline 3d to the both side
edges 3a.
[0018] The rear trunk region 4 has both side edge 4a extending
parallel to each other longitudinally, and upper and lower end
edges 4b, 4c extending parallel to each other transversely. A
second neckline 4d extends transversely substantially in the middle
of the upper edge 4b of the rear trunk region 4. Each of second
armhole lines 4e extends straight transversely between the both
lateral ends of the second neckline 4d and the both side edges 4e,
respectively. In the rear trunk region 4, the second neckline 4d
describes a circular arc so that it is convexly curved in the
direction of the lower end 4c, and the second armhole lines 4e
obliquely extend downward from the lateral ends of the second
neckline 4d to the both side edges 4a. The rear trunk region 4 is
cut into a first rear trunk half 4A and a second rear trunk half 4B
along a longitudinal centerline Y2 bisecting the width between the
both side edges 4a and extending longitudinally.
[0019] The rear trunk region 4 has a pair of tying cords 7A, 7B for
neck portion and a pair of tying cords 8A, 8B for waist portion by
means of which the rear area may be kept closed. Each of the tying
cords 7A, 7B for the neck portion has its one end attached to the
outer surfaces of the first and second rear trunk halves 4A, 4B,
respectively, in the vicinity of the longitudinal centerline Y2 as
well as of the upper end 4b of the rear trunk region 4. Each of the
tying cords 8A, 8B for waist portion has its one end attached to
the outer surfaces of the first and second rear trunk halves 4A, 4B
in the vicinity of the longitudinal centerline Y2 at a level
corresponding to the waist line of the rear trunk region 4.
[0020] In the front trunk region 3, assumed that the first armhole
lines 3e are extended upward from the both lateral ends of the
first neckline 3d, the first extended lines X1 cross at a crossing
angle .theta.1 each other on a longitudinal centerline Y1 which
bisects the width between the both side edges 3a of the front trunk
region 3 and extends longitudinally. In the rear trunk region 4,
assumed that the second armhole lines 4e are extended upward from
the both lateral ends of the second neckline 4d, the second
extended lines X2 cross at a crossing angle .theta.2 each other on
the longitudinal centerline Y2. The crossing angles .THETA.1 and
.theta.2 define the relationship of .theta.1>.theta.2.
[0021] When the front trunk region 3 and the rear trunk region 4
are put on each other, each first armhole line 3e of the front
trunk region 3 is placed inside of each second armhole line 4e of
the rear trunk region 4. Therefore, in the basic trunk portion 2,
the upper part area S2 of the rear trunk region 4 placed above a
transversely extending imaginary line X4 which connects crossing
points between each second armhole line 4e and the both side edges
4a is larger than the upper part area S1 of the front trunk region
3 placed above a transversely extending chain line X3 which
connects crossing points between each first armhole line 3e and the
both side edges 3a.
[0022] It is preferable that the crossing angle .theta.1 in the
front trunk region 3 is in the range of 35.degree.-160.degree., and
that the crossing angle .theta.2 in the rear trunk region 4 is in
the range of 30.degree.-155.degree.. If the crossing angle .theta.1
is less than 35.degree. or more than 160.degree. and the crossing
angle .theta.2 is less than 30.degree. or more than 155.degree.,
local tension might act on upper ends 3b, 4b of the front trunk
region 3 and the rear trunk region 4 as the wearer of the gown 1
moves the arms up- and downward, so that up- and downward movement
of the wearer's arms might be restricted by the basic trunk portion
2.
[0023] Each of the sleeves 5A, 5B has a first sleeve bonding line
5a which extends transversely parallel to the first armhole line 3e
of the front trunk region 3 and a second sleeve bonding line 5b
which extends transversely parallel to the second sleeve line 4e of
the rear trunk region 4. The first sleeve bonding line 5a
rectilinearly and obliquely extends downward from a center of the
shoulder covering area 5f to the trunk facing area 5c. The second
sleeve bonding line 5b also rectilinearly and obliquely extends
downward from the center of the shoulder covering area 5f to the
trunk facing area 5c.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the gown 1 as the basic trunk
portion 2 and the both sleeves 5A, 5B having been bonded together
from the state shown in the exploded plan view of FIG. 2. As shown,
each of the sleeves 5A, 5B and the front and rear trunk region 3, 4
are bonded together, wherein each first armhole line 3e of the
front trunk region 3 and the first sleeve bonding line 5a of each
sleeve 5A, 5B correspond to each other, and each second armhole
line 4e of the rear trunk region 4 and the first sleeve bonding
line 5b of each sleeve 5A, 5B correspond to each other.
[0025] In the gown 1, the both lateral ends of the first neckline
3d of the front trunk region 3 are spaced apart from the both
lateral ends of the second neckline 4d of the rear trunk region 4
by a desired dimension. Between associated lateral ends of the
first and second neckline 3d, 4d, sections of the first sleeve
bonding line 5a extends which are not bonded to the first and
second armhole lines 3e, 4e of the front and rear trunk regions 3,
4. The gown according to FIG. 1 is obtained from the state of FIG.
3 by placing the front trunk region 3 and the rear trunk region 4
upon each other, bonding the front trunk region 3 and the rear
trunk region 4 in the vicinity of their side edges 3a, 4a, bonding
the trunk facing areas 5c of each sleeve 5A, 5B to each other, and
bonding the both lateral sides of the sleeve ribbed member 6
extending transversely outward from the trunk facing area 5c.
[0026] It is preferable in the gown 1 to bond the outer surface of
each sleeve 5A, 5B to the outer surface of the front and rear trunk
regions 3, 4 with the first and second armhole lines 3e, 4e of the
front and rear trunk regions 3, 4 being folded a little toward
inner surfaces of the trunk regions 3, 4. It is also preferable to
bond the outer surfaces of the front and rear trunk regions 3, 4 to
each other with the both side edges 3a, 4a of the front and rear
trunk regions 3, 4 being folded a little toward inside of the trunk
regions 3, 4. In order to wear the gown, a wearer puts the both
arms through the sleeves 5A, 5B of the gown 1, fastens the tying
cords 7A, 7B for neck portion and the tying cords 8A, 8B for waist
portion, connects the first and second rear regions 4A, 4B each
other, and thereby closes the rear area.
[0027] Nonwoven fabric formed with thermoplastic fiber, for
example, spunlace-, needlepunch-, meltblown-, thermalbond-,
spunbond-, or chemicalbond-nonwovenfabric or a laminated sheet of
nonwoven fabric and a thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet can be
used for the front and rear trunk regions 3, 4 and the both sleeves
5A, 5B.
[0028] Polyolefine-, polyester- or polyamide-based fiber or
conjugate fiber of thick-and-thin type or side-by-side type etc.
formed with polyethylen/polypropylene or polyester can be used as
component fiber of nonwoven fabric.
[0029] The nonwoven fabric formed with openings to improve
moisture-permeability, the nonwoven fabric embossed to improve
cushioning property or the nonwoven fabric provided with a
stretchability can be also used. A plastic sheet, for example,
polyethylen, polypropylene or polyester can be used as a
thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet. It is also possible to use
composite nonwoven fabric (SMS nonwoven fabric) in which both sheet
surfaces of a meltblown nonwoven fabric sheet having high water
resistance are sandwiched between sheet surfaces of spunbond
nonwoven fabric sheets having high strength and flexibility.
[0030] The gown 1 has been described above, in which the basic
trunk portion 2 is formed from the front trunk region 3 and the
rear trunk region 4, separately prepared. However, the front trunk
region 3 and the rear trunk region 4 can be formed in one-piece,
just like the gown 1 disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 1994-207301A. Hot melt adhesive or technique of
heat-sealing can be used for bonding of the front and rear trunk
regions 3, 4, bonding of the both trunk regions 3, 4 and the both
sleeves 5A, 5B, bonding of cords 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B and bonding of
sleeve ribbed members 6.
[0031] The gown 1 is used mainly as outerwear for surgeons and
patients or sleepwear for patients. Each size, for example, S, M,
L, LL can be provided in consideration of the shape of wearer's
body. The gown 1 is sterilized by organic gasifiable chemicals, for
example ethyleneoxide, electronic beam, or radiation, after it has
been put into a sterilizing bag.
[0032] The disposable gown according to this invention in uniquely
configured so that a crossing angle .theta.1 between the both first
extensions generated when the first armhole lines are extended
upward from the lateral ends of the first neckline is larger than
an crossed angle .theta.2 between the both second extensions
generated when the second armhole lines are extended upward from
the lateral ends of the second neckline. In other words, the upper
part area of the rear trunk region extending above a transversely
extending chain line which connects crossing points between each
second armhole line and the both side edges is larger than the
upper part area of the front trunk region extending above a
transversely extending chain line which connects crossing points
between each first armhole line and the both side edges. Therefore,
in the gown, an enough area for following the movement of wearer's
arms is ensured in the rear region covering the wearer's shoulders.
Even if the wearer stretches the arms forward or bends the elbows,
no local tension acts on the upper end of the rear trunk region. In
this way, movement of the wearer's arms is free from restriction by
the rear trunk region and smooth movement of the operating wearer
is ensured.
* * * * *