U.S. patent application number 15/540845 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-25 for garment with defined openings for clinical inspection.
The applicant listed for this patent is Galderma Research & Development. Invention is credited to Alessandra Beatriz ALIO-SAENZ, Michael GRAEBER, Joyce Lee HWA, Matthew James LEONI, Jae Karlo Calandria LOPEZ, Bernadette Irene MANGIONE, Paul MARTINETTI, Shannon Louise MOORE, Marie Helene PEIRONE, Diane Travaglini RUDISILL, Jerry Kim Leng TAN, Valerie TILLIER-LEFRANCOIS.
Application Number | 20180020749 15/540845 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55702021 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180020749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MARTINETTI; Paul ; et
al. |
January 25, 2018 |
GARMENT WITH DEFINED OPENINGS FOR CLINICAL INSPECTION
Abstract
A garment includes a connected front and back panels forming a
cavity for an upper body of a subject. Each of a pair of sleeves is
connected to at least one of the front or back panel and is in
communication with the cavity. A collar is configured to surround a
neck of the subject. Each of a pair of shoulder straps is connected
at one end to the collar and at an opposing end to at least one of
the front or back panels or a sleeve. A first opening is formed by
at least the straps, a top edge of the front panel, and the collar
to expose a top portion of the subject's chest. A second opening is
formed by at least the straps, a top edge of the back panel, and
the collar to expose a top portion of the subject's back.
Inventors: |
MARTINETTI; Paul;
(Washington Crossing, PA) ; MANGIONE; Bernadette
Irene; (Phoenixville, PA) ; TAN; Jerry Kim Leng;
(Windsor, CA) ; MOORE; Shannon Louise; (Windsor,
CA) ; RUDISILL; Diane Travaglini; (Princeton
Junction, NJ) ; TILLIER-LEFRANCOIS; Valerie; (Saint
Vallier De Thiey, FR) ; LEONI; Matthew James;
(Titusville, NJ) ; GRAEBER; Michael;
(Lawrenceville, NJ) ; ALIO-SAENZ; Alessandra Beatriz;
(Plainsboro, NJ) ; PEIRONE; Marie Helene;
(Valbonne, FR) ; LOPEZ; Jae Karlo Calandria;
(South Plainfield, NJ) ; HWA; Joyce Lee; (East
Brunswick, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Galderma Research & Development |
Biot |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
55702021 |
Appl. No.: |
15/540845 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
December 29, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2015/002629 |
371 Date: |
June 29, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62098573 |
Dec 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1245 20130101;
A41D 27/18 20130101; A41D 27/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/12 20060101
A41D013/12; A41D 27/08 20060101 A41D027/08; A41D 27/18 20060101
A41D027/18 |
Claims
1. A garment for use in clinical inspection, the garment
comprising: a front panel having a top edge; an opposing back panel
having a top edge and being connected with the front panel along a
lateral edge so as to form a cavity in which an upper body of a
subject is received when the garment is worn; a pair of opposing
hollow sleeves, each of the sleeves being connected to at least one
of the front or back panel and in communication with the cavity so
as to receive an arm of the subject when the garment is worn; a
collar configured to surround a neck of the subject when the
garment is worn; a pair of shoulder straps, each of the straps
being connected at one end to the collar and at an opposing end to
at least one of the front panel, the back panel, or one of the
sleeves; a first opening formed by at least the shoulder straps,
the top edge of the front panel, and the collar, and configured to
expose a top portion of a chest of the subject when the garment is
worn; and a second opening formed by at least the shoulder straps,
the top edge of the back panel, and the collar, and configured to
expose a top portion of a back of the subject when the garment is
worn.
2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising: a first guide line
located on the collar; and a second guide line located on the front
panel, the first and second guide lines being configured to be
spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance when the
garment is worn by the subject.
3. The garment of claim 2, further comprising: a third guide line
located on the collar; and a fourth guide line located on the back
panel, the third and fourth guide lines being configured to be
spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance when the
garment is worn by the subject.
4. The garment of claim 2, wherein the second guide line is located
proximate the top edge of the front panel.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the top edge of the front panel
has a V-shape.
6. The garment of claim 5, wherein a nadir of the top edge is
configured to extend to a xiphoid process of the subject when the
garment is worn.
7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front and back panels, the
sleeves, the collar, and the shoulder straps are made from a blend
of cotton and spandex.
8. The garment of claim 7, wherein a ratio of cotton to spandex is
between about 86/14 to about 95/5.
9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the top edge of the front panel
and portions of the collar and the shoulder straps bordering on the
first opening are reinforced with one of threading or additional
material.
10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the top edge of the back panel
and portions of the collar and the shoulder straps bordering on the
second opening are reinforced with one of threading or additional
material.
11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the top edge of the back panel
extends generally horizontally between the sleeves.
12. The garment of claim 1, wherein when the garment is worn by the
subject, the second opening is configured to be positioned over an
area of the back of the subject that the subject is able to reach
by hand.
13. The garment of claim 1, further comprising at least one writing
located on at least one of the front or back panel.
14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the collar is cylindrical.
15. A garment for use in clinical inspection, the garment
comprising: a front panel having a top edge; an opposing back panel
having a top edge and being connected with the front panel along a
lateral edge so as to form a cavity in which an upper body of a
subject is received when the garment is worn; a collar configured
to surround a neck of the subject when the garment is worn; a pair
of shoulder straps, each of the straps being connected at one end
to the collar and at an opposing end to at least one of the front
panel or the back panel; a first opening formed by at least the
shoulder straps, the top edge of the front panel, and the collar,
and configured to expose a top portion of a chest of the subject
when the garment is worn; and a second opening formed by at least
the shoulder straps, the top edge of the back panel, and the
collar, and configured to expose a top portion of a back of the
subject when the garment is worn.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to
a garment, and more particularly, to a garment having defined
openings for clinical inspection.
[0002] During testing and evaluation of products for the treatment
of dermal conditions, such as for example, truncal acne, careful
observation of the same area of skin of the subject over an
extended period of time is required. This is an important aspect of
the study to accurately assess whether the treatment is having the
desired effect. While a subject's body may be marked directly,
using an ink pen or the like, the marking is prone to fading away
over time as a result of the subject bathing, sweating, or other
like activities. Further, marking of the subject's skin is often
undesirable to the subject.
[0003] It is therefore desirable to provide a garment with defined
openings that can be repeatedly worn by the subject to expose the
same area of skin for each examination during the study.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION
[0004] Briefly stated, an embodiment of the present invention
comprises a garment for use in clinical inspection. The garment
includes a front panel having a top edge, an opposing back panel
having a top edge and being connected with the front panel along a
lateral edge so as to form a cavity in which an upper body of a
subject is received when the garment is worn, and a pair of
opposing hollow sleeves. Each of the sleeves is connected to at
least one of the front or back panel and is in communication with
the cavity so as to receive an arm of the subject when the garment
is worn. A collar is configured to surround a neck of the subject
when the garment is worn. The garment further includes a pair of
shoulder straps, with each of the straps being connected at one end
to the collar and at an opposing end to at least one of the front
panel, the back panel, or one of the sleeves. A first opening is
formed by at least the shoulder straps, the top edge of the front
panel, and the collar, and is configured to expose a top portion of
a chest of the subject when the garment is worn. A second opening
is formed by at least the shoulder straps, the top edge of the back
panel, and the collar, and is configured to expose a top portion of
a back of the subject when the garment is worn.
[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a
garment for use in clinical inspection. The garment includes a
front panel having a top edge, an opposing back panel having a top
edge and being connected with the front panel along a lateral edge
so as to form a cavity in which an upper body of a subject is
received when the garment is worn, a collar configured to surround
a neck of the subject when the garment is worn, and a pair of
shoulder straps. Each of the straps is connected at one end to the
collar and at an opposing end to at least one of the front panel or
the back panel. A first opening is formed by at least the shoulder
straps, the top edge of the front panel, and the collar, and is
configured to expose a top portion of a chest of the subject when
the garment is worn. A second opening is formed by at least the
shoulder straps, the top edge of the back panel, and the collar,
and is configured to expose a top portion of a back of the subject
when the garment is worn.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The following detailed description of preferred embodiments
of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction
with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there
are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently
preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is
not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities
shown.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a garment in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the garment of FIG.
1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the garment of FIG. 1;
and
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the garment of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right", "left",
"lower", and "upper" designate directions in the drawings to which
reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to
directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center
of the garment and designated parts thereof. The terminology
includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of
similar import. Additionally, the words "a" and "an", as used in
the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification,
mean "at least one."
[0012] Referring to the drawings in detail there is shown in FIGS.
1-4 a preferred embodiment of a garment 10 in accordance with the
present invention. The garment 10 is preferably in the form of a
shirt, blouse, or like covering for the upper body of a subject
(partially shown in phantom in the drawings using alternating long
and short dashes). The garment 10 preferably includes opposing
front and back panels 12, 14 which may be connected to one another
via one or more seams (not shown). For example, a seam may be
provided on each of left and right sides of the garment 10 to
connect the front and back panels 12, 14. In another embodiment,
the front and back panels 12, 14 may be integrally connected on one
side and attached by a seam at the opposing side. However, other
embodiments, such as those where a seam is not required, may be
used as well.
[0013] The front and back panels 12, 14 together form a cavity 16
in which the upper body of the subject is received when the garment
10 is worn. The garment 10 further includes hollow sleeves 18, each
attached to one or both of the front and back panels 12, 14 and in
communication with the cavity 16 for receiving corresponding arms
of the subject. The sleeves 18 are preferably attached by
additional seams 18a. Alternatively, the sleeves 18 may be
integrally formed with one or both of the front and back panels 12,
14, or the like.
[0014] The garment 10 further includes a cylindrical collar 20
configured to surround the neck of the subject when the garment 10
is worn. An interior of the collar 20 is therefore in communication
with the cavity 16 formed by the front and back panels 12, 14. The
garment 10 also includes at least two shoulder straps 22. Each
shoulder strap 22 is coupled to the collar 20, either integrally or
via a thread or like attachment, and extends in a direction
generally parallel to a shoulder of the subject toward one of the
sleeves 18. The shoulder strap 22 is attached to at least one of
the sleeve 18, the front panel 12, or the back panel 14. The
shoulder strap 22 may be integrally formed with one or more of the
sleeve 18, front panel 12, or back panel 14, connected thereto via
thread or like attachment, or a combination thereof
[0015] A first opening 24 is formed in the garment 10 by the
shoulder straps 22, a top edge 12e of the front panel 12, and the
collar 20. The first opening 24, when the garment 10 is placed on
the subject, is configured to expose a top portion of the chest of
the subject for clinical examination. In a preferred embodiment,
the top edge 12e of the front panel 12 has a V-shape. It is
preferred that a nadir of the "V" formed by the top edge 12e
extends at a maximum to the xiphoid process of the subject,
although this may be complicated by the particular anatomy of the
subject or other factors.
[0016] A second opening 26 is formed in the garment by the shoulder
straps 22, a top edge 14e of the back panel 14, and the collar 20.
The second opening 26, when the garment 10 is placed on the
subject, is configured to expose a top portion of the back of the
subject for clinical examination. In a preferred embodiment, the
top edge 14e of the back panel 14 extends generally horizontally
between the two sleeves 18. The size of the second opening 26,
particularly the location of the top edge 14e of the back panel 14,
is preferably designed to represent the area of the back that the
subject can reach with his or her own hand to apply medicament for
treatment.
[0017] It should be noted that the sizes and shapes of the first
and second openings 24, 26 can vary according to the examination to
be conducted, specific needs of the subject, and the like while
still keeping within the scope of the present invention. The
portions of the garment 10 bordering on the first and second
openings 24, 26, such as the top edges 12e, 14e, the collar 22, and
the like, are preferably reinforced with threading or extra
material to prevent tearing or deformation of the garment 10 in the
areas of the first and second openings 24, 26.
[0018] An important aspect in maintaining consistency of the
locations of the examination areas on the subject is the fit of the
garment 10. For example, if the garment 10 hangs too loosely on the
subject, the first and second openings 24, 26 may not overlap with
the same examination areas each time the garment 10 is worn. Thus,
it is preferred that the garment 10 be tight-fitting to the
subject, i.e., that the garment 10 generally takes to the outline
of and is in contact with much of the subject's body without
significant portions hanging loose or being folded or wrinkled.
[0019] The type of material used to make the garment 10 also plays
a role in maintaining the consistency of the examination area
location. In testing, it was found that an entirely cotton material
tends to deform over time. An entirely spandex material also did
not perform satisfactorily as it failed to retain sufficient
structure for proper use of the garment 10. A preferred material is
a blend of cotton and spandex, wherein the cotton provides the
necessary structure to the garment 10 and the spandex allows the
appropriate fit to the subject. A preferred percentage ratio of
cotton to spandex is between about 86/14 to about 95/5. Of course,
other blends or like materials may be used as well to provide a
structured, well-fitting garment 10.
[0020] In order to better gauge consistency between examinations,
the garment 10 may be provided with front and back fitting guide
lines 30, 32 that are printed, sewn, adhered, or otherwise applied
to the garment 10. For example, a pair of front fitting guide lines
30 may be provided spaced apart from one another along a vertical
midline of the front panel 12. One of the front fitting guide lines
30 is preferably provided on the collar 20 just above the front
opening 24 and the other front fitting guide line 30 is provided on
the front panel 12 just below the top edge 12e. Similarly, a pair
of back fitting guide lines 32 may be spaced apart from one another
along a vertical midline of the back panel 14, with one back
fitting guide line 32 being provided on the collar 20 just above
the back opening 26 and the other back fitting guide line 32 being
provided just below the top edge 14e of the back panel 14. Each
time the garment 10 is worn by the subject or an examination is
conducted, a distance between the respective front and/or back
fitting guide lines 30, 32 may be performed. If the distances can
be consistently maintained, the first and second openings 24, 26
can be more readily assumed to be in the same location on the
subject. The guide lines 30, 32 need not be centered and can be
placed in any locations on the garment which can generate a
reproducible measurement for aligning the first and second openings
24, 26.
[0021] Given the variation in body types and sizes between each
individual subject, more than one size of the garment 10 must
typically be provided. However, it is often impractical to supply
each individual subject with a completely customized and fitted
garment 10. It has been found that seven size variations, with
relevant measurements shown below in Table 1, provide sufficient
coverage for most subject body types and sizes during clinical
inspection. Dimensions A-G are illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. The
appropriate size garment 10 for the subject may be selected by
measuring the distance between the axillae of the subject and
matching that distance with the closest appropriate values below in
Table 1, although other measurements may be used to select the
proper size of the garment 10. Of course, other sizes and
dimensions other than those shown in Table 1 may also be used in
keeping with the invention.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Dimension Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Neck 41.5 42
44.5 47 48.5 49.5 51.5 circumference (cm) A (cm) 11.5 12.5 13.5
14.5 15.5 15.5 15.5 B (cm) 17.5 20 18.5 17.5 17.5 18.5 20 C (cm)
(while flat) 35 40.5 42.5 47 50 53.5 57.5 D (cm) 22.5 26.5 25.5
29.5 31 33 36 E (cm) (while flat) 24.5 32 32 35 39.5 42.5 45.5 F
(cm) 10 13 14 12 12 13.5 13 G (cm) 33.5 36.5 37.5 41 44.5 45 48
Chest (cm) 80 89.5 94.5 99.5 102.5 124.5 142 Chest (inches) 31.5 35
37 39 40 49 56
[0022] In certain embodiments, the sizes of the first and second
openings 24, 26, certain other components of the garment 10, and
even the size of the garment 10 itself may be adjustable. For
example, mechanical clips (not shown) may be provided to shorten
the shoulder straps 22, reduce the circumference of the cavity 16,
or make other like adjustments to provide a better fit of the
garment 10. Other types of mechanisms for making such adjustments,
such as integrated hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesive strips, or the
like, may be used as well. In addition, the garment 10 may include
flaps (not shown) for covering all or a portion of the first and/or
second openings 24, 26. The flaps can allow for privacy, focus on
specific examination locations of the subject, or the like. As an
example, the flaps may be secured by threading at one end to the
garment 10 and may include hook-and-loop fasteners at the other end
to allow for opening and closing of the flaps. The flaps may also
be completely removable.
[0023] The garment 10 may also include writings 40, 42 on the front
and/or back panels 12, 14 or other portions of the garment 10.
Aside from logos or aesthetic designs, the writings 40, 42 may also
be used for informative purposes, such as labeling the garment 10
for the correct orientation on the subject, instructions, names or
other identifications (e.g., subject number, initials, or the
like), information regarding the current examination, the number of
examinations, other like information, or combinations thereof
[0024] The garment 10 may also be initially formed as a full and
ordinary shirt, and may be provided with cut-out lines (not shown)
indicating locations of the garment 10 which may be cut with
scissors or other cutting instruments to form the first and second
openings 24, 26.
[0025] Other openings in other locations of the garment 10, for
example to expose the stomach, lower back, arm, or other areas of
the subject, may also be utilized in keeping with the invention.
The goal is to ensure that the same area of the subject is
evaluated during each examination.
[0026] In use, the subject preferably dons the garment 10 prior to
each examination. Although it is presumed that the subject will
wear the same garment 10 for each examination, a new same-sized
garment 10 may alternatively be provided each time. The subject or
an administrator may measure the appropriate distances between the
front and/or back fitting guide lines 30, 32 to establish base-line
values representing the position of the front and back openings 24,
26, or for subsequent examinations, to align the garment 10 to
match the original base-line values. The subject is then examined
through the first and/or second openings 24, 26. After examination,
notations may be made on the garment 10, as necessary. Notations
may also be made before or during examination, if necessary.
[0027] The garment 10 may also be used for purposes other than
clinical evaluation, such as other medical examinations, and
non-medical uses.
[0028] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the embodiments described above without
departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention
as described above.
* * * * *