U.S. patent application number 09/828190 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-01 for disposable gown.
Invention is credited to Matsushita, Michiyo.
Application Number | 20010034891 09/828190 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18637694 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010034891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsushita, Michiyo |
November 1, 2001 |
Disposable gown
Abstract
A disposable gown is composed of a basic trunk portion having
front and rear trunk regions and both sleeves, wherein the rear
trunk region includes first and second rear trunk halves. Collar
elements, by which the first and second rear trunk halves may be
kept closed is formed from a front collar member attached to the
front trunk region and surrounding front half of a neck opening, a
first rear collar member attached to the first rear trunk half and
surrounding rear half of the neck opening, and a second rear collar
member attached to the second rear trunk half and surrounding rear
half of the neck opening. Two pairs of engaging means are formed on
respective ends of the front collar member and the first and second
rear collar members. The engaging means detachably fasten the
collar members to each other.
Inventors: |
Matsushita, Michiyo;
(Kagawa-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN GOPSTEIN GILMAN & BERNER, LLP
Suite 310
1700 Diagonal Road
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
18637694 |
Appl. No.: |
09/828190 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/141.1 ;
2/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1245 20130101;
A41D 13/1209 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/141.1 ;
2/129 |
International
Class: |
A41B 003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 27, 2000 |
JP |
2000-128218 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A disposable gown comprising a basic trunk portion which has 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 both sides of an upper end of said basic trunk portion,
with a neck opening in the upper end and a hem opening in a lower
end of said basic trunk portion, wherein said rear trunk region
comprises 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 side edge of said front trunk region, wherein: a collar
element by means of which said first rear trunk half and said
second rear trunk half may be kept closed extends along the edge of
said neck opening in its circumferencial direction, said collar
element being formed from a front collar member attached to said
front trunk region and surrounding substantially front half of said
neck opening, a first rear collar member attached to said first
rear trunk half and extending toward said second rear trunk half so
as to surround substantially rear half of said neck opening, and a
second rear collar member attached to the second rear trunk half
and extending toward said first rear trunk half so as to surround
substantially rear half of said neck opening, a first pair of
engaging means being formed on respective ends of said front collar
member and said first rear collar member faced said second rear
collar member, the first pair of engaging means detachably
fastening said collar members to each other, a second pair of
engaging means being formed on respective ends of said front collar
member and said second rear collar member faced said first rear
collar member so that the second pair of engaging means may
detachably fasten said collar members to each other.
2. The gown according to claim 1, wherein said basic trunk portion
and each of said sleeves are formed with a hydrophobic nonwoven
fabric or a laminated sheet of hydrophobic nonwoven fabric and a
flexible thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet, and said collar
element is formed by a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a disposable gown, for example,
outerwear for surgical operations, outerwear for patients,
sleepwear of patients.
[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1994-207301A
describes a disposable gown comprising a basic trunk portion of
which a rear trunk region is divided into right and left halves,
and both sleeves attached to the both sides of the upper end of the
basic trunk portion which is provided with a first and second tying
cords for fastening the basic trunk portion to the wearer's body
from its outside.
[0003] According to the gown of prior art, fastener members which
can be engaged each other are attached to a neckline of each rear
trunk half. When the gown is worn, a wearer places the rear trunk
halves upon each other so that the rear portion is closed, ties the
waist portion by fastening the first and second tying cords
together, and closes the collar by engaging fastener members with
each other. If no enough area exists between the neckline of the
basic trunk portion and the wearer's neck, although it depends on
the size of wearer's neck, tension from the sleeves is transmitted
to the upper side of each rear trunk halves. Consequently, the
wearer experiences uncomfortable compressive feeling in the
vicinity of the wearer's neck and smooth movement of the neck might
be restrained by the trunk portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the problem as has been described above, it is an
object of this invention to provide a disposable gown improved so
that, even if the wearer stretches his or her arms forward or bends
his or her elbows, no high pressure of the wear is exerted on the
wearer s neck and movement of wearer's neck may be free from
restriction by the trunk portion.
[0005] According to this invention, there is provided an
improvement in the disposable gown comprising a basic trunk portion
which has 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 both sides of an upper end of the basic
trunk portion, with a neck opening in the upper end and a hem
opening in a lower end of the basic trunk portion, wherein the rear
trunk region comprises 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 side edge of the front trunk region.
[0006] The improvement according to this invention is in that a
collar element by means of which the first rear trunk half and the
second rear trunk half may be kept closed extends along the edge of
the neck opening in its circumferencial direction, the collar
element being formed from a front collar member attached to the
front trunk region and surrounding substantially front half of the
neck opening, a first rear collar member attached to the first rear
trunk half and extending toward the second rear trunk half so as to
surround substantially rear half of the neck opening, and a second
rear collar member attached to the second rear trunk half and
extending toward the first rear trunk half so as to surround
substantially rear half of the neck opening, a first pair of
engaging means being formed on respective ends of the front collar
member and the first rear collar member faced the second rear
collar member, the first pair of engaging means detachably
fastening the collar members to each other, a second pair of
engaging means being formed on respective ends of the front collar
member and the second rear collar member faced the first rear
collar member so that the second pair of engaging means may
detachably fasten the collar members to each other.
[0007] According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, the
basic trunk portion and each of the sleeves are formed with a
hydrophobic nonwoven fabric or a laminated sheet of hydrophobic
nonwoven fabric and a flexible thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet,
and the collar element is formed with a hydrophilic nonwoven
fabric.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the disposable gown
constructed according to the principle of this invention as viewed
from the front trunk region;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a, perspective view showing the disposable gown as
put on a wearer s body and viewed from the front trunk region;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded plan view of the gown of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an assembled view showing the gown of which the
basic trunk portion and the sleeves are bonded together from the
state illustrated in the exploded plan view of FIG. 3; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view of the gown of FIG. 1
showing the collar members in enlarged scale.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] 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.
[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing a disposable
gown 1 as viewed from a front trunk region 2, FIG. 3 is an exploded
plan view of the gown of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an assembled view
showing the gown 1 of which a basic trunk portion 1A and sleeves 4A
and 4B are bonded together from the state illustrated in the
exploded plan view of FIG. 3. FIG. 2 shows the gown 1 of which a
front collar member 5, first and second rear collar members 7A, 7B
are engaged each other and respective pairs of tying cords 9A, 9B,
9C, 9D for waist portion are fastened each other.
[0015] The gown is basically composed of the basic trunk portion 1A
and the both sleeves 4A, 4B attached to the upper end of the basic
trunk portion 1A. In the gown 1, a neck opening 11 is formed
between the both sleeves 4A, 4B in the upper end region of basic
trunk portion 1A, and a hem opening 12 is formed at the lower end
region of the basic trunk portion 1A.
[0016] The basic trunk portion 1A has a front trunk region 2
covering wearer's breast and belly and a rear trunk region 3
covering wearer's back, each separately prepared. The rear trunk
region 3 is formed from a first rear trunk half 3A connected with
one side edge 2a of the front trunk region 2 and a second rear
trunk half 3B connected with the other side edge 2a of the front
trunk regions. Each of the sleeves 4A, 4B defines a cylindrical
form tapered from a sleeve bonding region 4a to a cuff 4e. A ribbed
member 10 is attached to each cuff 4e of the sleeves 4A, 4B. The
ribbed member 10 is elastically stretchable in the circumferential
direction of the sleeves 4A, 4B.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 3, the front trunk region 2 has the both
side edges 2a longitudinally extending parallel to each other, and
upper and lower ends 2b, 2c transversely extending parallel to each
other. A neckline 2d is formed substantially in the middle of the
upper end 2b of the front trunk region 2, and armholes 2e are
formed on the both sides of the neckline 2d. The neckline 2d
describes a circular arc so that it is convexly curve in the
direction of the lower end 2c of the front trunk region 2. The
armholes 2e obliquely and rectilinearly extend downward from the
both sides of the neckline 2d to the both side edges 2a of the
front trunk region 2.
[0018] A front collar member 5 surrounding a front half of the neck
opening 11 is bonded to the neckline 2d of the front trunk region 2
along the edge of the neckline 2d. The front collar member 5
defines a transversely long belt-like form, and extends from the
middle of the upper end 2d of the front trunk region 2 toward the
both side edges 2a. A male press button 6 is attached to each end
5a of the front collar member 5 placed on the both side edges
2a.
[0019] The first rear trunk half 3A and the second rear trunk half
3B are identical to each other in shape as well as in size. Each of
the both rear trunk halves 3A, 3B has both side edges 3a
longitudinally extending parallel to each other and upper and lower
ends 3b, 3c transversely extending parallel to each other. The both
rear trunk halves 3A, 3B are so large that they may cover
substantially the wearer's whole back.
[0020] A neckline 3d is formed substantially in the middle of the
upper end 3b of the first rear trunk half 3A and an armhole 3e is
formed between the neckline 3d and the associated one of side edges
3a. The neckline 3d describes a circular arc so that it is convexly
curved in the direction of a lower end 3c of the first rear trunk
half 3A and extends transversely. The armhole 3e obliquely and
rectilinearly extends downward from the neckline 3d to the side
edge 3a of the first rear trunk half 3A.
[0021] A first rear collar member 7A surrounding substantially the
rear half of the neck opening is bonded to the neckline 3d of the
first rear trunk half 3A along the edge of the neckline 3d. The
first rear collar member 7A defines a transversely long belt-like
form, and extends from the first rear trunk half 3A toward the
second rear trunk half 3B. A female press button 8 is attached to
the end 7a of the rear collar member 7A which faces the second rear
trunk half 3B.
[0022] The first rear trunk half 3A has a pair of tying cords 9A,
9B for waist portion by means of which the rear area may be kept
closed. The tying cords 9A, 9B for waist portion have their one
ends attached to outer surface and inner surface of the first rear
trunk half 3A, respectively, in the vicinity of each side edge 3a
at a level corresponding to the waist line of the first rear trunk
half 3A.
[0023] A neckline 3d is formed substantially in the middle of the
upper end 3b of the second rear trunk half 3B and an armhole 3e is
formed between the neckline 3d and the associated one of the side
edges 3a. The neckline 3d describes a circular arc so that it is
convexly curved in the direction of a lower end 3c of the second
rear trunk half 3B and extends transversely. The armhole 3e
obliquely and rectilinearly extends downward from the neckline 3d
to the side edge 3a of the second rear trunk half 3B.
[0024] A second rear collar member 7B surrounding substantially the
rear half of the neck opening is bonded to the neckline 3d of the
second rear trunk half 3B along the edge of the neckline 3d, The
second rear collar member 7B defines a transversely long belt-like
form, and extends from the second rear trunk half 3B toward the
first rear trunk half 3A. A female press button 8 is attached to
the end 7b of the rear collar member 7B which faces the first rear
trunk half 3A.
[0025] The second rear trunk half 3B has a pair of tying cords 9C,
9D for waist portion by means of which the rear area may be kept
closed. Each of the tying cords 9C, 9D for waist portion has its
one end attached to outer surface of the second rear trunk half 3B
in the vicinity of the side edge 3a at level corresponding to the
waist line of the second rear trunk half 3B.
[0026] The sleeves 4A, 4B have first sleeve bonding regions 4a
which extend parallel to the respective first armholes 2e of the
front trunk region 2 and second sleeve bonding regions 4b which
extend parallel to the respective armholes 3e of the first and
second rear trunk halves 3A, 3B. The first sleeve bonding regions
4a rectilinearly and obliquely extends downward from respective
centers of the shoulder covering areas 4c to the trunk facing areas
4d. The second sleeve bonding regions 4b also rectilinearly and
obliquely extend downward from the respective centers of the
shoulder covering areas 4c to the trunk facing area 4d.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, in the gown 1, the armholes 2e of
the front trunk region 2 are put in coincidence with the respective
first sleeve bonding regions 4a of the sleeves 4A, 4B while the
respective armholes 3e of the first and second rear trunk halves
3A, 3B are put in coincidence with the respective second sleeve
bonding regions 4b of the sleeves 4A, 4B. From this state, the
sleeves 4A, 4B are bonded to the front region 2, on one hand, and
to the first and second rear trunk halves 3A, 3B, on the other
hand.
[0028] In the gown 1, the neckline 2d of the front trunk region 2
is spaced apart from the necklines 3d of the first and second rear
trunk halves 3A, 3B by a desired dimension. Between the respective
necklines 2d, 3d of the front trunk region 2 and the rear trunk
halves 3A, 3B, sections of the sleeve bonding regions 2a, 2b of the
sleeves 4A, 4B extend which are not bonded to armholes 2e, 3e of
the front trunk region 2 and the rear trunk halves 3A, 3B.
[0029] From the state shown by FIG. 4, the front trunk region 2 and
the first and second rear trunk halves 3A, 3B are folded along the
centerline X extending on the both sleeves 4A, 4B so that inner
surfaces of the region 2 and the halves 3A, 3B are placed upon each
other. With the region 2 and halves 3A, 3B placed upon each other,
the both side edges 2a of the front trunk region 2 may be bonded to
the respective side edges 3a of the first and second trunk halves
3A, 3B and the respective trunk facing areas 4d of the sleeves 4A,
4B may be bonded together to obtain the gown 1 of FIG. 1.
[0030] It is preferable in the gown 1 to bond the outer surfaces of
the respective sleeve bonding regions 4a, 4b of the sleeves 4A, 4B
to the outer surfaces of the front trunk region 2 and the first and
second rear trunk halves 3A, 3B with the armholes 2e, 3e of the
trunk region 2 and trunk halves 3A, 3B being folded a little toward
inner surfaces of the trunk region 2 and the trunk halves 3A, 3B.
It is preferable also to bond the outer surfaces of the trunk
region 2 and the trunk halves 3A, 3B one to another with the both
side edges 2a, 3a of the front trunk region 2 and the rear trunk
halves 3A, 3B facing one another being folded a little toward
inside of the trunk region 2 and the trunk halves 3A, 3B.
[0031] In order to wear the gown 1, a wearer puts the both arms
through the sleeves 4A, 4B of the gown 1, fastens the tying cord 9A
for waist portion attached to the inner surface of the first rear
trunk half 3A and the tying cord 9D for waist portion attached to
the outer surface of the second rear trunk half 3B to each other,
and places the second rear trunk half 3B on the outer surface of
the first rear trunk half 3A. After the rear trunk halves 3A, 3B
have been placed upon each other, the wearer closes the rear area
by fastening the tying cord 9B for waist portion attached to the
outer surface of the first rear trunk half 3A and the tying cord 9C
for waist portion attached to the outer surface of the second rear
trunk half 3B to each other. And then, the wearer guides the first
rear collar member 7A toward the second rear trunk half 3B so that
the collar member 7A is put around the neck, engages the press
button 8 attached to the end 7a of the first rear collar member 7A
with the press button 6 attached to one end 5a of the front collar
member 5, guides the second rear collar member 7B toward the first
rear trunk half 3A so that the second rear collar member 7B is put
around the neck, and engages the press button 8 attached to the end
7b of the second rear collar member 7B with the press button 6
attached to the other end 5a of the front collar member 5.
[0032] FIG. 5 is fragmentary top of the gown 1 of FIG. 1 showing
the collar members 6, 7A, 7B in enlarged scale. In the gown 1, the
front collar member 6 and the both second rear collar members 7A,
7B engaged each other can move in the circumferential direction of
the neck opening 11 as indicated by arrows X1, X2. Consequently, an
enough area is ensured between the neckline 2e, 3e of the basic
trunk portion 1A and the wearer's neck. Therefore, even if the
wearer wearing the gown 1 stretches forward the arms or bends the
elbows, extension of the collar members 6, 7A, 7B relieves the
wearer of tension from each of the sleeves 4A, 4B, and prevents the
tension from each of the sleeves 4A, 4B from being transmitted to
upper side of the first and second rear trunk halves 3A, 3B.
[0033] A hydrophobic nonwoven fabric of thermoplastic fiber or a
laminated sheet of hydrophobic nonwoven fabric and a flexible
thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet can be used for the basic trunk
portion 1A and the both sleeves 4A, 4B. As the laminated sheet, it
is preferable to use the laminated sheet, in which both sheet
surfaces of the thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet are sandwiched
between two layers of hydrophobic nonwoven fabric, and the
hydrophobic nonwoven fabric and the synthetic resin sheet are
intermittently bonded to each other at bonding spots in the form of
dots or stripes. It is possible to use a plastic sheet, for
example, of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate
or polyester as the synthetic resin sheet.
[0034] The nonwoven fabric made porous to improve
moisture-permeability, the nonwoven fabric embossed to improve
cushioning property, the nonwoven fabric provided having a
stretchability, or combination thereof can be also used as the
nonwoven fabric for the basic trunk portion 1A and the both sleeves
4A, 4B. It is also possible to use composite 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.
[0035] It is possible to use hydrophilic nonwoven fabric in which
the hydrophobic nonwoven fabric of thermoplastic fiber is provided
with hydrophilic treatment for the front collar member 5 as well as
for the first and second rear collar members 7A, 7B.
[0036] The nonwoven fabric of spunlace-, needlepunch-, meltblown-,
thermalbond-, spunbond- or chemicalbond-type can be used.
Polyolefine-, polyester-, or polyamide-based fiber or conjugate
fiber of thick-and-thin type or side-by-side type of
polyethylene/polypropylene or polyester can be used as component
fiber of a nonwoven fabric.
[0037] Instead of press buttons 6, 8, a hook member and a loop
member of a mechanical fastener can be attached to each end 5a, 7a,
7b of the front collar member 5, the first and second rear collar
members 7A, 7B. In this case, one of the hook member and the loop
member can be attached to each end 5a of the front collar member 5,
the other can be attached to each end 7a, 7b of the first and
second rear collar members 7A, 7B.
[0038] In the gown 1, the basic trunk portion 1A is formed from the
front trunk region 2 and the rear trunk region 3, separately
prepared. However, it is also possible to form the front trunk
region 2 and the rear trunk region 3 in one-piece, just like the
gown 1 disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1994-207301A,
and to bisect the rear trunk region 3 along the longitudinal
centerline. Hot melt adhesive or technique of heat-sealing can be
used for bonding of the front trunk region 2 and the rear trunk
halves 3A, 3B, bonding of the front trunk region 2, the rear trunk
halves 3A, 3B and the both sleeves 4A, 4B, bonding of cords 9A, 9B,
9C, 9D and bonding of sleeve ribbed members 10.
[0039] 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 a 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.
[0040] The disposable gown according to the invention is uniquely
configured so that the front collar member, the first and second
rear collar members can move in circumferencial direction of the
neck opening when the neck opening of the gown is closed by the
front collar member attached to the front trunk region and the
first and second rear collar member attached to the first and
second rear trunk halves. Consequently, an enough area is ensured
between the neck line of the basic trunk portion and the wearer's
neck.
[0041] In the gown, even if its wearer stretches the arms forward
or bends the elbows, extension of the collar members relieves the
wearer of tension from each of the sleeves and can prevent the
tension from each of the sleeves from being transmitted to the
upper side of the first and second rear trunk halves. Therefore, no
high pressure of the wear is exerted on the wearer's neck and
movement of wearer's neck can be free from restriction by the upper
end of the trunk portion.
* * * * *