U.S. patent application number 12/580211 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for protective garment with a flexible collar.
This patent application is currently assigned to S2S Design. Invention is credited to Thor R. Halseth.
Application Number | 20100031419 12/580211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42395924 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100031419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Halseth; Thor R. |
February 11, 2010 |
Protective Garment with a Flexible Collar
Abstract
A protective garment comprising a gown and an improved collar
mechanism and method of use for securing protective gowns,
typically used in health care settings, around the neck of a user
without the need to secure with ties, tabs, snaps or other securing
devices. The collar mechanism is made of a stiff material that is
pliable enough to be deformed without fracture when force is
applied but with a sufficient memory that allows the collar to
return to its original position once the force is removed.
Inventors: |
Halseth; Thor R.; (Agoure
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Cislo & Thomas LLP
1333 2nd Street, Suite #500
Santa Monica
CA
90401-4110
US
|
Assignee: |
S2S Design
|
Family ID: |
42395924 |
Appl. No.: |
12/580211 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12322037 |
Jan 27, 2009 |
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12580211 |
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61137365 |
Jul 29, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/114 ; 2/132;
2/243.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/12 20130101;
A41B 2300/30 20130101; A41D 27/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/114 ; 2/132;
2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/12 20060101
A41D013/12; A41B 3/00 20060101 A41B003/00; A41D 27/00 20060101
A41D027/00 |
Claims
1. A protective garment, comprising: a. a gown having i. a closed
front portion to cover a front of a torso; ii. a back portion
configurable into an open state and a closed state to cover a back
of the torso; iii. a pair of sleeves opposite each other, each
sleeve configured to receive an arm, each sleeve comprising an
elastic cuff; iv. a waist closure member to secure the back portion
in the closed state; and v. a collar portion to wrap around a neck
to secure the gown to the torso, the collar portion comprising a
hem; and b. a collar member, generally circular or oval in
cross-section and insertable into the hem of the collar portion,
wherein the collar member comprises a main portion having a
cross-sectional diameter, the main portion having an arcuate shape
and terminating at a first end and a second end, wherein the first
and second ends each comprise a cross-sectional diameter, wherein
the cross-sectional diameter of the main portion is different from
the cross-sectional diameters of the first and second ends, wherein
the collar member is deformable when a force is applied and capable
of naturally returning to its original shape after being deformed
once the force is removed.
2. A protective garment, comprising: a. a gown having i. a closed
front portion to cover a front of a torso; ii. an open back portion
to cover a back of the torso; iii. a pair of sleeves opposite each
other, each sleeve configured to receive an arm; and iv. a collar
portion to wrap around a neck, the collar portion comprising a hem;
and b. a collar member, generally cylindrical in shape and
insertable into the hemmed collar portion, wherein the collar
member comprises a main portion having a cross-sectional diameter,
the main portion having an arcuate shape and terminating at a first
end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends each
comprise a cross-sectional diameter, wherein the cross-sectional
diameter of the main portion is different from the cross-sectional
diameters of the first and second ends, and wherein the collar
member is capable of naturally returning to its original shape
after being deformed.
3. The protective garment of claim 2, wherein the collar member is
made from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon,
plastic, and metal.
4. The protective garment of claim 2, wherein the collar member is
affixed to the hemmed collar portion.
5. The protective garment of claim 2, wherein the collar member
protrudes out from the hemmed collar portion.
6. The protective garment of claim 5, wherein the collar member
comprises a fastener at the first and second ends to fasten the
first end to the second end.
7. The protective garment of claim 2, wherein the gown further
comprises a waist closure member.
8. The protective garment of claim 7, wherein the waist closure
member is selected from the group consisting of a tie, an elastic
rod, an adhesive, a magnet, and a hook.
9. The protective garment of claim 7, wherein the gown further
comprises a hemmed waist portion through which the waist closure
member is inserted to wrap around the torso to secure the back
portion closed.
10. The protective garment of claim 2, wherein each arm sleeve
comprises a cuff, wherein each cuff comprises a means for imparting
tightness around the wrists.
11. A protective garment, comprising: a. a gown having i. a closed
front portion to cover a front of a torso; ii. a pair of back flaps
extending from opposite ends of the front portion defining a back
portion to cover a back of the torso; iii. a pair of sleeves
opposite each other, each sleeve configured to receive an arm; and
iv. a collar portion to wrap around a neck; and b. a collar member
secured to the collar portion, wherein the collar member comprises
an elastic main portion, the main portion having a curvature and
terminating at a first end and a second end.
12. The protective garment of claim 11, wherein the collar member
is made from a material selected from the group consisting of
nylon, plastic, and metal.
13. The protective garment of claim 11, wherein the collar portion
comprises a hem, thereby defining a hemmed collar portion, wherein
the collar member is insertable into the hemmed collar portion.
14. The protective garment of claim 13, wherein the collar member
protrudes out from the hemmed collar portion.
15. The protective garment of claim 14, wherein the collar member
comprises a fastener at the first and second ends to fasten the
first end to the second end.
16. The protective garment of claim 11, wherein the collar member
comprises a fastener to fasten the first end with the second
end.
17. The protective garment of claim 11, wherein the gown further
comprises a waist closure member.
18. The protective garment of claim 17, wherein the waist closure
member is selected from the group consisting of a tie, an elastic
rod, an adhesive, a magnet, and a hook.
19. The protective garment of claim 17, wherein the waist closure
member is an elastic rod and, wherein the gown further comprises a
hemmed waist portion through which the elastic rod is inserted to
wrap around the torso to secure the back portion closed.
20. The protective garment of claim 11, wherein each sleeve
comprises an elastic cuff.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 12/322,037, filed Jan. 27, 2009, entitled "Easy On and Off
Collar for a Protective Garment" which claims the priority of
provisional application 61/137,365, filed Jul. 29, 2008 entitled
Hospital Gown with Easy On and Off Collar, which applications are
incorporated in their entirety here by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
protective garments and specifically to a collar enclosure that
allows for quick and easy securing to the wearer's neck.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Protective garments are used in medical settings to cover
patients and health care workers alike to isolate the patients from
ambient germs found on practitioners' clothing and to isolate
practitioners from germs and fluids from patients.
[0006] Typically a protective garment is disposable, but some are
not. In use, the user places his or her arms through the sleeves
and then the gown is secured around the neck with a tie,
VELCRO.RTM. or sticky tape as well as around the wearer's waist
with a tie.
[0007] Tying the collar portion of the protective garment can be
cumbersome and time-consuming. Sometimes, the securing of the ties
around the neck is not completely successful or not done at all. As
a result, the gown can come open causing the shoulders to droop off
of the wearer at inopportune times, thereby exposing both the
patient and health care worker each to the other.
[0008] A recent development in attempting to solve this problem has
involved the use of a bib-like device that goes over the head of
the wearer. This device suffers because it musses hair and can get
caught on jewelry.
[0009] There exists, therefore, a need for an improved method of
securing the collar around the neck of a health care worker other
than the methods found in the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is
directed towards a protective garment such as a hospital or medical
gown, having a collar stiffener for placement inside or outside of
the hem of the collar of the gown, the collar stiffener comprising
a member that fits inside or outside of the hem of the collar of
the gown. The member terminates in a first end and a second end
wherein the member is composed of a material that is pliable enough
to move with the application of force.
[0011] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the member is composed of a material that in addition to being
pliable enough to move with the application of force, it contains
sufficient memory so as to return to its original shape once the
forced is released.
[0012] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the first end and the second end are thicker than the rod.
[0013] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the first end and second end are thinner than the rod.
[0014] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the member is made of nylon.
[0015] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the member is made of plastic.
[0016] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the first end and the second end protrude from the hem
slightly.
[0017] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the member is made of metal.
[0018] The second embodiment of the instant invention teaches a
method of quickly securing a gown around a wearer's neck comprising
the steps of: sewing a member into or outside of the hem of the
neck of the gown, the member such that it will fit inside or
outside of the hem of the collar of the gown. The member terminates
in a first end and a second end wherein the member is composed of a
material that is pliable enough to move with the application of
force; gripping the neck of the gown and expanding it to a position
wide enough to wrap around the wearer's neck; wrapping the gown
around the wearer's neck; and releasing the member.
[0019] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the member is made of a material that in addition to being
pliable enough to move with the application of force, it contains
sufficient memory so as to return to its original shape once the
forced is released.
[0020] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the first end and the second end are thicker than the
member.
[0021] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the first end and the second end are thinner than the
member.
[0022] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the member is made of nylon.
[0023] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the member is made of plastic.
[0024] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the first end and the second end protrude from said hem
slightly.
[0025] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the member is made of metal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the collar stiffener of the instant invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a top view of one of the ends of an embodiment of
the collar stiffener;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the ends of an embodiment of
the collar stiffener;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the collar
portion as it sits in the hem of the collar of a gown and wraps
around the neck of a wearer;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the collar stiffener of the instant invention;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a top view of the collar stiffener demonstrating
the memory of it as it expands and contracts to fit around a user's
neck;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
collar portion as it sits in the hem of the collar of a gown and
wraps around the neck of a wearer;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a close up view of a second alternate embodiment
of the tip of the collar enclosure of the instant invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a close up view of a third alternate embodiment of
the tip of the collar enclosure of the instant invention;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a close up view of a second alternate embodiment
of the tip of the collar enclosure of the instant invention;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the front of an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the rear of an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a close-up of the collar portion shown in FIG.
12; and
[0039] FIG. 14A-D are close-up views of various closures for the
collar member or the waist closure member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0040] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of
presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not
intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention
may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the
functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating
the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is
to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions
and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are
also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0041] The present invention is directed to a protective garment
that can be donned quickly, easily, and securely, with or without
the assistance of others. The protective garment comprises a gown
30 to cover the wearer's body and a stiffening member or collar
member 10 to secure the gown 30 to the wearer.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the gown 30 may be a standard
hospital or medical gown, such as those worn by health care
professionals. The gown has a closed-off front portion 42 that
continues towards the back in opposite directions to form two back
flaps 44, 46. The closed-off front portion 42 prevents exposure of
the wearer's torso to the environment. The back flaps 44, 46 create
an opening 45 through which the wearer can don the gown 30.
Together the front portion 42 and the rear flaps 44, 46 can cover
the wearer's entire torso from the neck to below the waistline. The
rear flaps 44, 46 may be joined to close off the back portion. This
allows the back portion to be open but closeable by bringing the
back flaps 44, 46 together behind the torso and securing the back
flaps 44, 46 together by any means.
[0043] A waist closure member 52 or other fastening means, such as
adhesives, magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, elastic rods, snaps,
slip locks, or the like, may be used to secure the rear flaps 44,
46 closed.
[0044] Two sleeves 48, 50 may also be integrally formed into the
gown 30 or may be stitched, glued, or otherwise fastened into the
gown 30. Any stitch portions of the gown may utilize a welded seam
for aesthetics as well as improving impermeability. The sleeves 48,
50 may each comprise an elastic cuff 54, 56 to impart a tightness
around the wrists. The elastic cuffs 54, 56 allow the wearer to
prevent unwanted exposure to the environment through the cuffs and
to allow the wearer to pull the sleeves 48, 50 and gloves off
together without having to touch the gloves. Other means for
imparting a tightness around the cuffs 54, 56 include flaps,
straps, wraps, ties, and the like. The other means for imparting
tightness may utilize quick-release fastening means such as
adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, and the like.
[0045] The gown 30 may be constructed of any type of fabric, cloth,
plastic, or any other textile suitable for wearing. The types of
material used may range from level zero to level four fabric. For
example, in some embodiments, the gown 30 may be made from a level
zero fabric, such as spunbond polyester to provide a basic barrier
protection. In some embodiments, the gown 30 may be made from a
level two fabric, such as a tri-layer SMS fabric to provide a fluid
resistant barrier, while allowing breathability. The gown may be
disposable or reusable. The gown 30 may be any color, although
utilizing a yellow color tends to be cheaper for manufacturing
purposes. In some embodiments, the gowns may be color-coded to
designate the staff. Thus, each health care worker can know the
role of another by the color of their gowns 30.
[0046] At the top of the gown 30, the front portion 42 and rear
flaps 44, 46 define a collar 40. A collar member 10 associated with
the collar 40 is designed to engage a wearer's neck to securely
hold the gown 30 to the wearer's body. The collar member 10 may be
fastened or otherwise secured to the collar portion 40 of the gown
30. In some embodiments, the collar member 10 may be stitched to
the collar 40. In some embodiments, the collar 40 may comprise a
hem 28. Utilizing the hem 28 to secure the collar member 10 to the
gown 30 allows the collar member 10 to maintain some adjustability
as the collar member 10 may slide in and out of the hem 28. In some
embodiments, the collar member 28 may be inserted into the hem 28
and also fastened to the collar 40, for example, by stitching.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the hem 28 may be a single continuous
hem extending from one back flap 44 through the front portion 42,
to the second back flap 46 along the top of the gown 30. In some
embodiments, the hem 28 may not extend the full perimeter of the
collar portion 40. In some embodiments, a plurality of short
segments of hems 28 may be intermittently spaced around the
periphery of the collar portion 40.
[0048] The collar member 10 is fed into or sewn to the hem 28 of
the neck of the protective garment 30. The member 10 may or may not
stick out of either side 1/2'' to 1'' where the ties are typically
found in the back of the open portion of standard garments. The
user 34 simply spreads the two ends 12, 14 of the collar member 10
to a distance that allows it to reach around the wearer's neck 32
and releases it to fit around the user's neck without the need to
tie, VELCRO.RTM. or sticky tab the back of the garment together,
thereby keeping the collar 40 closed and the garment's shoulders in
proper position during use. Once the user is done with the garment,
it is simply pulled off of the neck and arms and discarded. There
is no need to untie or separate any VELCRO.RTM. or sticky tabs by
reaching up and around the neck 32 to do so.
[0049] Furthermore, when installing this collar member 10 in the
neck, the manufacturer could optionally leave the standard ties 57
remaining, or any other fastener, such as VELCRO.RTM. or sticky
tabs, as a secondary means of securement. When a health care worker
34 must wear the garment for an extended period of time, then it
may be desirable to include a secondary means of securement.
However, typically health care workers are quickly in and out of
areas that require the gowns. A hospital or other health care
setting can use up to thirty gowns per shift.
[0050] The collar member 10 can be made of nylon, plastic or metal
wire, or any other material that is pliable. Preferably, the collar
member is made with nylon 66. In some embodiments, the collar
member 10 may possess an elasticity. In other words, the material
can also have a memory that will allow the collar member 10 to be
bent or expanded to an open configuration when a force is applied
and return to the closed position once force is removed.
[0051] Illustrated in FIG. 1 is the preferred embodiment of the
collar member 10. The collar member 10 comprises generally an
elongated, rod shaped main portion 16 having a first end 12 and a
second end 14 opposite the first end 12 and with a generally
circular cross section. The main portion 16 may take on other
cross-sectional shapes; however, shapes that reduce surface area
and provide a smooth surface are preferred to facilitate insertion
of the collar member 10 into the hem 28. Other suitable cross
sectional shapes include triangles, squares, ovals, ellipses, other
polygons, and the like.
[0052] The main portion 16 is generally an elongated rod formed
into a curved shape so as to wrap around a user's neck. The overall
curved shape may be circular, oval, elliptical, and the like. Any
other shape that allows the collar member 10 to encircle the
wearer's neck 32 is also suitable, such as triangular, square,
pentagonal, hexagonal, and the like.
[0053] Having a cylindrical collar member 10 allows the collar
member 10 to be made in a cost-effective manner. In addition,
existing gowns 30 require only minimal changes, if any, to receive
the collar member 10. For example, collar members 10 may be
directly fastened to existing collar portions 40 or hems 28 may be
sewn into the collar portions 40 to receive the collar member 10.
In either case, the existing gown 30 does not require expensive
alterations.
[0054] The first end 12 and second end 14 of the collar member 10
may serve to secure the member 10 inside the collar 40 of the gown
30 so that it does not move within the collar 40. In some
embodiments, the first end 12 and the second end 14 may have a
thickness that is smaller than the thickness of the main portion
16. For example, the first and second ends 12, 14 may be flattened
or tapered. A top view of the first end (which is the same as the
second end) is shown in FIG. 2. The smaller thickness portion is
shown as 12a. FIG. 3 shows the end 12 in side view. The thin
portion 12a should be of sufficient thickness to allow the
placement therethrough of a sewing needle, allowing for the ends 12
and 14 to be sewn directly to the hem 28 of the collar.
Alternatively, each end 12, 14 may have a hole through which thread
or other fastening means may be inserted to fasten the collar
member 10 to the collar 42.
[0055] In some embodiments, the first and second ends may be
thicker than the main body portion as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7.
In these drawings, the collar member is referred to as 110, the
main body is 116, the first end is 112 and the second end is 114.
Increasing the thickness of the ends reduces the chances of the
ends slipping back into the hem 28 in embodiments where the collar
member 110 is not affixed to the collar 40 or hem 28. It also
allows the ends to be more easily grasped. Increasing the thickness
of the first and second ends 112, 114 may be achieved in a number
of different ways. For example, the tip may be a folded tip 22,
folded over itself to create a thicker cross section as seen in
FIG. 8. Alternatively, the tip may be an enlarged tip 24, for
example by making the tip into a ball-shape to create a thicker
cross section as seen in FIG. 9. The tip 26 can also have the same
general shape as the main portion 16, but be fabricated thicker as
seen in FIG. 10.
[0056] In some embodiments, the ends 12, 14 may further comprise a
fastening means 58. For example, the ends 12, 14 may have
adhesives, ties, hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets, snaps, buttons,
hooks, clips, weights, slips, cords, resistance fits, and the like
for quick and easy securement and release. Attachment of the
fastening means is, therefore, virtually automatic as the elastic
nature of the collar member 10 brings the fastening means together
to provide added security. In some embodiments, the main portion 16
may have a degree of plasticity or pliability that allows the main
portion 16 to be bent into particular shapes and retain those
shapes. In embodiments in which the collar member 10 is not affixed
to the collar portion 40, the first and second ends 12, 14 can be
brought together and the entire collar member 10 rotated about the
neck of the user until the first and second ends 12, 14 enter into
the hemmed portion 28 to further secure the collar member 10 on the
neck.
[0057] A larger version of the collar member 10 comprising the same
or similar features, material, and characteristics may be used as a
waist closure member 52. In other words, the waist closure member
52 may also be an elongated, elastic, rod-like member. The waist
closure member 52 may be circular, oval, or elliptical in shape.
The waist area may also comprise a hem 60 through which the waist
closure member 52 may be inserted analogous to the hem 28 in the
collar portion 40. Other closure means can also be used for the
waist closure member, such as adhesives, ties, hook-and-loop
fasteners, magnets, snaps, buttons, hooks, clips, weights, slips,
cords, resistance fits, and the like for quick and easy securement
and release. In some embodiments, the waist closure member 52 may
have a degree of plasticity or pliability that allows the waist
closure member 52 to be bent into particular shapes and retain
those shapes.
[0058] FIGS. 14A-14D show suitable examples of fastening means that
can be attached to the ends of the collar member 10 and/or the
waist closure member 52. As shown in FIG. 14A, the ends 12, 14 may
comprise a hook system 58a in which one end 12 or 14 comprises an
eyelet 70 and the other end 12 or 14 comprises a hook 72 to secure
the hook 72 in the eyelet 70 to help keep the gown closed.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 14B, the ends 12, 14 may comprise end snaps
58b in which one end 12 or 14 comprises an insertion member 76 and
the other end 12 or 14 comprises a receiving member 74 comprising
an orifice configured to receive the insertion member 76 to secure
the end snaps 58b due to resistance to help keep the gown closed.
In some embodiment, the insertion member 76 may further comprise a
means for increasing resistance inside the receiving member 74. For
example, the tip of the insertion member may be enlarged or bulbous
with the receiving member 74 having a reciprocal pocket to
accommodate the bulbous tip. In some embodiments, the insertion
member 76 may be ribbed or have flanges and the receiving member 74
may have reciprocal pockets to receive the ribs or flanges.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 14C, the ends 12, 14 may comprise a magnet
system 58c in which one end 12 or 14 comprises a positive pole 78
and the other end 12 or 14 comprises a negative pole 80 to attract
the positive pole 78 to secure the magnets 58c to help keep the
gown closed.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 14D, the ends 12, 14 may comprise a slip
lock 58d in which one end 12 or 14 comprises a slit 82 and the
other end 12 or 14 comprises a barbed insertion member 84
insertable into the slit 82 to secure the slip lock 58d to help
keep the gown closed. The barbs 86 are angled in such a way as to
slide into the slit 82 in a first direction but to catch the slit
82 to encumber the removal of the barbed insertion member 84 in a
second direction. In some embodiments, the slit portion 82 or the
barbed insertion member portion 84 may further comprise
perforations 88 so that pulling on the collar member 10 or the
waist closure member 52 with the appropriate force causes the slip
lock to tear at the perforations to easily remove the gown. The
perforations 88 are, however, sturdy enough not to tear during
normal wear.
[0062] The protective garment may be made by providing a gown 30
having a collar 40 and securing the collar member 10 to the collar
40 of the gown 30. The collar member 10 may be secured to the gown
30 by stitching, with adhesives, or any other fastening means. In
some embodiments, a hem 28 is created at the collar 40 by folding
the collar portion 40 of the gown 30 back on itself and affixing
the collar portion 40 in the folded configuration. This creates a
small tunnel through which the collar member 10 may be inserted.
Once inserted into the hem 28, the collar member 10 may be affixed
to the collar 40.
[0063] FIG. 4 shows the collar 40 as it appears when in use. The
user grips the member 10 at any point to spread the distance
between the ends from the first position 18 to a second position 20
that is wide enough to allow the member 10 to easily pass around a
user's neck (see FIG. 6).
[0064] FIG. 4 shows the collar member 10 housed inside the hem 28
of the collar of a gown 30 as it fits around the neck 32 of a user
34. The first end 12 and second end 14 can protrude from the hem 28
slightly to allow for easy grip (see the alternate embodiments
FIGS. 5-10). In the preferred embodiment, however, the first end 12
and second end 14 do not protrude from the hem 28 and are designed
to allow the ends 12, 14 to be sewn directly into the hem 28.
[0065] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is
intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this
detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *