U.S. patent application number 16/448402 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-09 for medical gown.
The applicant listed for this patent is priMED Medical Products Inc.. Invention is credited to Lucas Paul Ethier, Joshua Alfred Eulert, Enrico Wing Kei Fok, David Randall Ponich.
Application Number | 20200008499 16/448402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69102473 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200008499 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ponich; David Randall ; et
al. |
January 9, 2020 |
Medical Gown
Abstract
A gown is provided including non-woven fabric having a front
portion, a rear portion, said rear portion ending in a lower edge,
and a head insertion aperture that is between the front portion and
the rear portion. The gown includes an opening in the rear portion;
this opening is formed at the lower edge and extends upwards
towards the head insertion aperture, and is configured to assist
the wearing in donning the gown. There is a bridge extending across
the rear portion at least partially between the opening and the
head insertion aperture. This bridge is configured to tear and
split the rear portion when the front portion is pulled away from
the wearer.
Inventors: |
Ponich; David Randall;
(Edmonton, CA) ; Eulert; Joshua Alfred; (Edmonton,
CA) ; Fok; Enrico Wing Kei; (Edmonton, CA) ;
Ethier; Lucas Paul; (Edmonton, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
priMED Medical Products Inc. |
Edmonton |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
69102473 |
Appl. No.: |
16/448402 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62694821 |
Jul 6, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1236 20130101;
A41D 13/1209 20130101; A41D 13/1245 20130101; A41D 2400/52
20130101; A41D 13/129 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/12 20060101
A41D013/12 |
Claims
1. A gown comprising: a. a non-woven fabric having a front portion,
a rear portion, the rear portion ending in a lower edge, and a head
insertion aperture defined between the front portion and the rear
portion; b. an opening, the opening defined in the rear portion,
said opening formed at the lower edge and extending towards the
head insertion aperture, configured to assist a wearer in donning
the gown; and c. a bridge extending across the rear portion at
least partially between the opening and head insertion aperture;
the bridge being configured to tear and split the rear portion when
the front portion is pulled away from the wearer.
2. The gown of claim 1, further comprising one or more notches,
each notch extending from the head insertion aperture into the
bridge; the one or more notches being configured to tear and split
the bridge when the front portion is pulled away from the
wearer.
3. The gown of claim 1, further comprising one or more notches,
each notch extending from the opening into the bridge; the one or
more notches being configured to tear and split the bridge when the
front portion is pulled away from the wearer.
4. The gown of claim 2, further comprising one or more notches,
each notch extending from the opening into the bridge; the one or
more notches being configured to tear and split the bridge when the
front portion is pulled away from the wearer.
5. The gown of claim 1, further comprising sleeves.
6. The gown of claim 5, wherein the sleeves terminate with a thumb
loop configured to engage a base of a thumb of the wearer.
7. The gown of claim 5, wherein the sleeves terminate with an
elasticized cuff to engage a wrist of the wearer.
8. The gown of claim 1, wherein the bridge, when measured from the
head insertion aperture to the opening, is between 5 cm-10 cm in
length.
9. The gown of claim 1, further comprising one or more tie
members.
10. The gown of claim 1, wherein the length of the front portion is
greater than the length of the rear portion.
11. The gown of claim 1, wherein the length of the front portion is
equal to the length of the rear portion.
12. The gown of claim 2, wherein the notch is selected from a group
consisting of a triangle, a diamond and a line.
13. The gown of claim 3, wherein the notch is selected from a group
consisting of a triangle, a diamond and a line.
14. A method of wearing and removing a gown, said method comprising
the steps of: a. accessing the gown, the gown comprising: a
non-woven fabric having a front portion, a rear portion, said rear
portion ending in a lower edge, and a head insertion aperture
defined between the front portion and the rear portion; an opening,
the opening defined in the rear portion, said opening slip formed
at the lower edge and extending towards the head insertion
aperture, configured to assist a wearer in donning the gown; and a
bridge extending across the rear portion at least partially between
the opening and head insertion aperture; the bridge being
configured to tear and split the rear portion when the front
portion is pulled away from the wearer; b. passing a head of a
wearer through the head insertion aperture to don the gown; c.
pulling the front portion away from the wearer, thereby tearing the
bridge and splitting the non-woven fabric layer between the head
insertion aperture and the opening to remove the gown.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the gown further comprises one
or more notches, each extending from the head insertion aperture
into the bridge; the one or more notches being configured to tear
and split the rear portion when the front portion is pulled away
from the wearer.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the gown further comprises one
or more notches, each extending from the opening into the bridge;
the one or more notches being configured to tear and split the rear
portion when the front portion is pulled away from the wearer.
17. A method of making a gown, said method comprising the steps of:
a. layering a plurality of non-woven fabrics to form multiple
layers of the non-woven fabric; each having a top edge, a bottom
edge, and two opposing side edges; b. cutting into the multiple
layers of non-woven fabric a head insertion aperture between the
top edge and the bottom edge between the two opposing side edges
and an opening parallel to the side edges from the bottom edge to a
point short of the head insertion aperture, thereby defining a
bridge; c. separating the one or more layers of cut non-woven
fabric; d. folding each cut non-woven fabric along a first line
parallel to the top edge, the first line extending across the
non-woven fabric through the head insertion aperture thereby
defining a front portion and a rear portion; and e. attaching the
front portion and the rear potion along at least a part of the
outside edges.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising cutting into the one
or more layers of non-woven fabric one or more notches, each notch
extending from the head insertion aperture into the bridge; the one
or more notches being configured to tear and split the rear portion
when the front portion is pulled away from the wearer.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising cutting into the one
or more layer of non-woven fabric one or more notches, each notch
extending from the opening into the bridge; the one or more notches
being configured to tear and split the rear portion when the front
portion is pulled away from the wearer.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of cutting
into the one or more layers of non-woven fabric a sleeve with a top
edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side edges.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to medical gowns and more
specifically tear-off and disposable medical gowns.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Medical gowns are commonly used in hospitals, clinics, and
other medical facilities, where they are worn by patients and staff
at medical facilities. Medical gowns are used for their protective
function to protect the wearer from contact with germs and other
microscopic items and to limit the transmission of germs, bodily
fluids and microscopic items in the medical facility. In addition,
medical gowns can serve a privacy function when used by patients to
cover their bodies during procedures which require the patient to
disrobe.
[0003] One issue with the prior art medical gowns is that they can
be difficult to remove. Users of hospital gowns often aim to remove
the gown using minimum contact to the gown thereby reducing the
spread of germs and other microscopic items between the medical
gown and the user.
[0004] Another issue with the prior art medical gowns is that they
require the user to raise the gown above the user's head during
doffing which risks germs and other microscopic items coming into
contact with the wearer or surroundings.
[0005] Some designs have used complicated and difficult to
manufacture perforations and scores to assist the wearing in
removing the medical gown. Other designs have characteristics that
are uncomfortable for some wearers.
[0006] For example, US Patent Application Publication No. US
2013/0276203 teaches a gown that requires perforations to be made
in the gown to assist the wearer with removing the gown.
[0007] As another example, US Patent Application Publication No. US
2014/0007316 teaches a gown wherein the neck line contains a round
or crew cut on one side and a pointed or "v" cut on the other side
which is complicated to manufacture and less comfortable for the
wearer.
[0008] It would be advantageous to have an improved gown that is
easy to remove and simple to manufacture.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention firstly provides for a gown comprising
non-woven fabric having a front portion, a rear portion, a lower
edge, and a head insertion aperture that is between the front
portion and the rear portion. The gown comprises an opening in the
rear portion; this opening is formed at the lower edge and extends
upwards towards the head insertion aperture, and is configured to
assist the wearing in donning the gown. There is a bridge extending
across the rear portion at least partially between the opening and
the head insertion aperture. This bridge is being configured to
tear and split the rear portion when the front portion is pulled
away from the wearer.
[0010] The present invention secondly provides for a method of
wearing and removing a gown, comprising a number of steps.
[0011] In the first step, the wearer accesses the gown comprising
non-woven fabric having a front portion, a rear portion, a lower
edge, and a head insertion aperture that is between the front
portion and the rear portion. The gown comprises an opening in the
rear portion; this opening is formed at the lower edge and extends
upwards towards the head insertion aperture, and is configured to
assist the wearing in donning the gown. There is a bridge extending
across the rear portion at least partially between the opening and
the head insertion aperture. This bridge is being configured to
tear and split the rear portion when the front portion is pulled
away from the wearer.
[0012] Next, the wearer passes their head through the head
insertion aperture to don the gown. To remove the gown, the wearer
pulls the front portion of the non-woven fabric layer, thereby
tearing the bridge and splitting the rear portion of the non-woven
fabric layer between the head insertion aperture and the opening to
remove the gown.
[0013] The present invention secondly provides for a method of
making the gown, comprising a number of steps.
[0014] The first step provides for one or more non-woven fabrics
each are having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side
edges and then layering the one or more non-woven fabrics to form
multiple layers of the non-woven fabric. The layers of the one or
more non-woven fabrics are then cut to provide a head insertion
aperture between the top edge and the bottom edge between the two
opposing side edges and an opening parallel to the side edges from
the bottom edge to a point short of the head insertion aperture,
thereby defining a bridge.
[0015] Next, the one or more layers of cut non-woven fabric are
separated. Each individual layer of cut non-woven fabric is folded
along a first line parallel to the top edge, the first line
extending across the non-woven fabric through the head insertion
aperture thereby defining a front portion and a rear portion. After
the layers of cut non-woven fabric are folded, the front portion
and the rear portion are then attached along at least a part of the
outside edge.
[0016] It is to be understood that other aspects of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description, wherein various
embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of
illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable for
other and different embodiments and its several details are capable
of modification in various other respects, all without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly the
drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] A further, detailed, description of the invention, briefly
described above, will follow by reference to the following drawings
of specific embodiments of the invention. The drawings depict only
typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be
considered limiting of its scope. In the drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of one example of a gown in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of one example of the gown
of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of another example of a gown
of the present invention, containing a notch and tie members
configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is rear perspective view of a user wearing an example
of a gown containing a notch configured in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a user removing
another example of a gown in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 6(a) is a plan view of one example of one or more
embodiments of a method of making the invention.
[0024] FIG. 6(b) is a plan view of one example of one or more
embodiments of a method of making the invention; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a close up view of the rear portion of the head
insertion aperture with alternative notch.
[0026] The drawing is not necessarily to scale and in some
instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order more
clearly to depict certain features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The description that follows and the embodiments described
therein are provided by way of illustration of an example, or
examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of various
aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for
the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those
principles and of the invention in its various aspects.
[0028] With reference to the FIGS. (1), (2), (3) and (4), the
present invention relates to a new and useful medical gown (1). The
present invention is designed to overcome difficulties in removing
medical gowns and complexities involved in manufacturing medical
gowns.
[0029] While the present invention is described as a medical gown,
this invention could be any number of gowns and is not necessarily
confined to medical applications, and thus any references to a
medical gown include garments, apparel, cover gowns, surgical
gowns, surgical isolation gowns, front protection gowns or other
gowns. More preferably, the garments related to the present
invention are medical gowns such as surgical or isolation
gowns.
[0030] While the present description may refer to such medical
gowns and accessories and parts thereof, it would be understood by
a person of skill in the art that the present invention can be
applied to any number of other garments or fabric in general
without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0031] The present invention provides for a medical gown (1)
comprised of non-woven fabric. The medical gown (1) having a front
portion (2) and a rear portion (3) with a head insertion aperture
(4) and a lower opening (23). The lower opening being defined by
the front portion (2) and rear portion (3) lower edges.
[0032] In one embodiment, the length of the front portion (2) is
equal to the length of the rear portion (3). In another embodiment,
the length of the front portion (2) varies from the length of the
rear portion (3) and is preferably greater in length than the rear
portion.
[0033] In one embodiment, the head insertion aperture (4) is
comprised of curved edges on the front portion (2) and the rear
portion (3). In another embodiment, the head insertion aperture (4)
is comprised of straight edges on the front portion (2) and the
rear portion (3). Optionally, the head insertion aperture (4)
contains elastic configured to engage the neck of the wearer and
hold the medical gown (1) close to the neck of the wearer. In other
embodiments, the head insertion aperture may be cinched tighter
with ties, which ties may be elastic or otherwise, or other methods
readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0034] The rear portion (3) of the medical gown (1) preferably
comprises an opening (5). In one embodiment, the opening (5)
comprises a slit. Preferably, the opening is formed into the rear
portion (3) starting from a lower rear edge (6) to a point short of
the head insertion aperture (4) on the rear portion (3). In a
preferred embodiment, the opening (5) is a straight line along the
rear portion (3) of the medical gown (1). In another embodiment the
opening (5) runs perpendicular to the lower rear edge (6).
Optionally, the opening (5) runs along the centre of the rear
portion (3) of the medical gown (1). In another option, the opening
(5) is formed directly below but separate from the lowest point of
an overall head insertion aperture (4). In one embodiment, the
opening (5) is an opening where the opening is formed into the rear
portion (3) starting from a lower rear edge (6) to a point short of
the head insertion aperture (4) on the rear potion (3). The width
of the opening can range from greater than 0 cm to span the entire
rear portion (3). Where the opening spans the rear portion (3), the
rear portion is defined as the bridge.
[0035] Between the opening (5) and the head insertion aperture (4)
is a bridge (7). The bridge (7) can be defined as the piece of
non-woven fabric between the head insertion aperture (4) and the
opening (5). The bridge (7) is configured to tear and split the
rear portion (3) when the front portion (2) is pulled away from the
wearer. Preferably, the bridge (7) when measured from the head
insertion aperture (4) to the opening (5) is between 5-10 cm. More
preferably, the bridge (7) is comprised of non-woven fabric that
when measured from the lowest point of the curved head insertion
aperture to the opening (5) is 5 cm. The bridge (7) is comprised of
either continuous fabric or separate fabric attached to the rear
portion (3). Optionally, the bridge is comprised of the same fabric
of the gown or a different fabric than that fabric which comprises
the gown. In one embodiment, the bridge (7) takes the configuration
of a yoke.
[0036] The bridge (7), where included, provides several functions.
In one illustrative example, when the wearer pulls the medical gown
(1) away from her torso, this causes the force of the pull motion
to focus on the bridge (7) causing the non-woven fabric to tear
from the opening (5) through the bridge (7). The combination of the
tensile strength of the non-woven fabric that comprises the bridge
(7) and the width of the bridge (7) provides a bridge (7) strong
enough to support the medical gown (1) when the user is donning and
wearing the gown and weak enough to allow the user to easily tear
and remove the gown. In addition, the width of the bridge (7) is
designed to ensure that the bridge (7) tears predictably when force
is applied to the medical gown (1).
[0037] More specifically, the bridge (7) can be torn by the wearer
without the need for perforations or scores. In another
illustrative example, the bridge (7) provides more privacy to the
wearer than a "v" neck cutline in the rear portion (3) otherwise
would, allowing the wearer's back to be covered by the bridge (7).
In addition, and as a further example, in one embodiment the bridge
(7) and the head insertion aperture (4) are curved, providing a
round neck cutline into the medical gown (1) on the front portion
(2) and the rear portion (3), and this is more comfortable to the
wearer than "v" neck cutline in the rear portion (3). In a further
example, the bridge (7) and the insertion aperture (4) that are
configured to ensure the gown rests on the neck and shoulders of
the wearer evenly without "drooping" or "sagging" towards the front
portion (2) exposing the chest of the wearer.
[0038] In another embodiment, the rear portion (3) head insertion
aperture (4) comprises one more notches (12) preferably extending
from the head insertion aperture (4) into the bridge (7). The one
or more notches (12) are preferably cut in a "v" shape comprised of
a left point (13) and right point (14) and bottom point (15). In a
preferred embodiment, the angle formed between the left point (13),
the bottom point (15), and the right point (14) is greater than
zero degrees. In another embodiment, the angle formed between the
left point (13), the bottom point (15), and the right point (14) is
between 1 degree and 115 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the
angle formed between the left point (13), the bottom point (15),
and the right point (14) is acute. Optionally, the angle formed
between the left point (13), the bottom point (15), and the right
point (14) is ninety degrees. It would be understood that the one
or more notches (12) can take other shapes, such as a diamond shape
as shown in FIG. 7 or a line.
[0039] In another option, the distance from the left point (13) and
the bottom point (15) is the same as the distance from the right
point (14) and the bottom point (15). In another option, the
distance from the left point (13) and the bottom point (15) is
different than the distance from the right point (15) and the
bottom point (15). In another option, the distance from the left
point (13) and the bottom point (15) and distance from the right
point (15) and the bottom point (15) are each between about 1-5 cm.
In the preferred embodiment, the distance between the right point
(15) and the left point (13) is greater than 0.5 cm. In another
option, the distance between the left point (13) and the right
point (14) is 1 cm. Most preferably, there is only one notch (12)
and it is centered so the bottom point (15) aligns with the opening
(5).
[0040] The one or more notches (12), where included, provide
several functions. In one illustrative example, when the wearer
pulls the medical gown (1) away from her torso, this causes the
force of the pull motion to focus on the bottom point (15) of the
one or more notches (12) making it easier for the non-woven fabric
to tear from the bottom point (15) and through the bridge (7). In
another illustrative example, the one or more notches (12) provide
more privacy to the wearer than a "v" neck cutline in the rear
portion (3) otherwise would, allowing the wearer's back to be
covered by the bridge (7). In addition, and as a further example,
in one embodiment the one or more notches (12) cut into the head
insertion aperture (4) that is in round shape providing a round or
"crew neck" cutline into the medical gown (1), is more comfortable
to the wearer than "v" neck cutline in the rear portion (3). In a
further example the one or more notches (12) cut into the head
insertion aperture (4) is configured to ensure the gown rests on
the neck and shoulders of the wearer evenly without "drooping" or
"sagging" towards the front portion (2) exposing the chest of the
wearer.
[0041] In another embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the
opening (5) comprises a second notch (42) preferably extending from
the opening (5) into the bridge (7). In one embodiment, as
illustrated in FIG. 4, the second notch (42) is in the shape of a
triangle. The second notch (42), in one other option as depicted in
FIG. 7, is cut in a "diamond" shape comprising of a second left
point (43), a second right point (45), a second bottom point (47),
and a top point (48). In a preferred embodiment, the angle formed
between the second left point (43), the second bottom point (47),
and the second right point (45) is greater than zero degrees. In
another embodiment, the angle formed between the second left point
(43), the second right bottom point (47), and the second right
point (45) is between 1 and 115 degrees. In a preferred embodiment,
the angle formed between the second left point (43), the second
bottom point (47), and the second right point (45) is acute.
Optionally, the angle formed between second left point (43), the
second bottom point (47), and the second right point (45) is ninety
degrees.
[0042] In another option, the distance from the second left point
(43) and the second bottom point (47) is the same as the distance
from the second right point (45) and the second bottom point (47).
In another option, the distance from the second left point (43) and
the second bottom point (47) is different than the distance from
the second right point (45) and the second bottom point (47). In
another option, the distance from the second left point (43) and
the second bottom point (47) and distance from the second right
point (45) and the second bottom point (47) are each between about
1-5 cm. In the preferred embodiment, the length of the opening
between the second right point (45) and the second left point (43)
is greater than 0.5 cm. In another option, the length of the
opening between the second left point (43) and the second right
point (45) is 1 cm. Most preferably, there is only one second notch
(43) on the opening (5) and it is centered at the point of the
opening closest to the head insertion aperture and aligns with the
opening (5). It is understood that to those skilled in the art that
the second notch (42) could comprise a number of shapes, including
a diamond shape as demonstrated in FIG. 7, a triangle as shown in
FIG. 4, or a line.
[0043] The second notch (42), where included, provides several
functions. In one illustrative example, when the wearer pulls the
medical gown (1) away from her torso, this causes the force of the
pull motion to focus on a top point (48) of the second notch (42)
making it easier for the non-woven fabric to tear from the top
point (48) through the land bridge (7).
[0044] In addition, and as a further example, in one embodiment of
the second notch (42) cut into the opening (5), the head insertion
aperture provides a "crew neck" cutline into the medical gown (1)
that is more comfortable to the wearer than "v" neck cutline in the
rear portion (3). In a further example of the second notch (42) cut
into the opening (5), the head insertion aperture provides a "crew
neck" cutline into the medical gown (1) that rests on the neck and
shoulders of the wearer evenly without "drooping" or "sagging"
towards the front portion (2).
[0045] Optionally, the medical gown (1) is configured to have a
left sleeve (8) and a right sleeve (9) attached to the medical gown
(1) with each sleeve comprising an arm insertion aperture. The left
sleeve (8) and right sleeve (9) can be attached to medical gown (1)
in a variety of ways. In another embodiment, the left sleeve (8)
and right sleeve (9) are adhesively attached to the medical gown
(1). In another embodiment, the left sleeve (8) and right sleeve
(9) are thermally or ultrasonically bonded to the medical gown (1).
In one embodiment, the left sleeve (8) and right sleeve (9) are
sewn to the medical gown. Optionally, the non-woven fabric of gown
is cut with sleeves integral to the front portion (1) and/or the
rear portion (2). In other options the left sleeve (8) and the
right sleeve (9) and gown body may be comprised of different
materials.
[0046] In one embodiment, the left sleeve (8) and the right sleeve
(9) contain a retention member to retain each sleeve along the arm
of the wearer. Optionally, the retention member contains elastic
configured to engage the wrist of the wearer and hold the medical
gown (1) close to the wrist of the wearer.
[0047] In one option, the left sleeve (8) and the right sleeve (9)
each terminate with a thumb loop (11) configured to engage the
thumb of the wearer to hold each sleeve to the wrist of the
wearer.
[0048] The thumb loops, where included, provide several functions.
One illustrative function is that the thumb loops keep the sleeves
(8)(9) pulled along the wearer's arms and prevent the sleeves
(8)(9) from "riding up" and exposing the wearer's wrist or arm.
Another illustrative function is that the thumb loops prevent
twisting of the sleeves (8)(9) about the wearer's arm. Each thumb
loop is configured, in one embodiment, to engage the saddle of a
thumb of the wearer.
[0049] In other embodiments, the thumb loop (11) may be combined
with a wrist elastic or a draw string and mechanism to maintain
position around the wrist.
[0050] In another embodiment, one or more tie members (19) may be
attached to the medical gown (1). The tie members (19) can be made
from the same non-woven fabric as the medical gown (1). In one
embodiment, the tie members include a first tie member (21)
disposed on the left side (16) of the medical gown (1), and a
second tie member (22) disposed on the right side (17) of the
medical gown (1). Accordingly, one tie member (21) is disposed on
one side of the opening (5), while the other tie member (22) is
disposed on a second side of the opening (5).
[0051] In one embodiment, tie members (21) and (22) are a single
tie member and that single tie member is attached to some point on
the gown, preferably in the middle of the gown.
[0052] The tie member(s) (21)(22) can be attached to the medical
gown (1) in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the tie members
(21)(22) are sewn to the medical gown (1). In another embodiment,
the tie members (21)(22) are adhesively attached to the medical
gown (1). In another embodiment, the tie members (21)(22) are
thermally or ultrasonically bonded to the medical gown (1). Other
attachment methods will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in
the art.
[0053] In the illustration of one embodiment, FIG. (3), the time
members (21)(22) are attached on a side medical gown (1). When the
tie members (21)(22) are tied across the opening (5), the body of
the medical gown (1) becomes cinched at the waist region of the
wearer.
[0054] Optionally, the colour of the non-woven fabric is yellow
however other colors may be preferred based on the end users
practices. Optionally, the non-woven fabric is impregnated with a
material that changes colour when exposed to liquid or other
contaminants.
[0055] In one embodiment, to further assist the wearer in removing
the gown, the non-woven fabric is configured so as to be tearable
by a wearer. Thus, if a wearer were to grasp opposing sides of a
section of the non-woven fabric, and then pull, the non-woven
fabric would tear. As will be shown below, and in one embodiment,
the wearer removes the medical gown by pulling the front potion of
the gown, this action then tearing the non-woven fabric across the
bridge (7).
[0056] Accordingly, a non-woven fabric that is easily torn by a
wide range of strengths of wearers may be selected for construction
of the medical gown (1) in accordance with such an embodiment.
[0057] Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, illustrated therein is a
method of wearing and removing a medical gown (1) in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a
wearer who has already donned the medical gown. In this
illustrative embodiment, the medical gown (1) defines a head
insertion aperture (4) between a front portion (2) and a rear
portion (3). The rear portion (3) of the medical gown (1) contains
an opening (5). The opening is cut into a lower rear portion (3)
starting from the lower rear edge (6) to a point on the rear
portion (3) short of the head insertion aperture (4). In the
preferred embodiment, the opening (5) is cut in a straight line. In
one embodiment, the opening (5) runs perpendicular to the lower
rear edge (6). Between the opening (5) and the head insertion
aperture (4) is a bridge (7). The bridge (7) can be defined as the
piece of non-woven fabric between the head insertion aperture (4)
and the opening (5). The bridge (7) is configured to tear and split
the rear portion (3) when the front portion (2) is pulled away from
the wearer. In another embodiment, the rear portion (3) head
insertion aperture (4) comprises one more notches (12) preferably
extending from the head insertion aperture (4) into the bridge (7).
The one or more notches (12) are preferably cut in a "v" shape
comprised of a left point (13) and right point (14) and bottom
point (15). The medical gown (1) optionally includes one or more
tie members (21)/(22) extending from the non-woven fabric layer. As
shown in FIG. (4) the wearer has passed her head through the head
insertion aperture and has optionally also tied the tie members
(21)(22) about her torso.
[0058] Turning now to FIG. (5), the wearer is now removing the
medical gown (1). Specifically, in this example she is using her
left hand to grasp the front portion (2) of the medical gown (1).
She then pulls medical gown (1) away from her torso. This causes
the bridge (7) to tear, thereby splitting the rear portion (3) of
the medical gown (1). This pulling action tears the bridge (7) and
splits the bridge (7) between the head insertion aperture (4) and
the opening (5). The wearer can now simply drop the medical gown
(1) about her torso and step out of it or preferably, the user may
roll the gown from the inside to avoid contact with the potentially
contaminated outside surface of the gown and dispose of the rolled
gown as waste. Where the tie members (21)/(22) are loosely tied,
the pulling action can cause them to become untied, thereby
facilitating simple removal of the medical gown (1) with a simple
stroke.
[0059] In another embodiment, in which the head insertion aperture
(4) has one or more notches (12), the wearer pulls the medical gown
(1) away from her torso, this causes tensile force motion to focus
on the bottom point (15) of the one or more notches (12) making it
easier for the non-woven fabric to tear at the bottom point (15),
thereby splitting the bridge (7) below the bottom point (15) and
above the opening (5).
[0060] Turning now to FIG. 6 and the method of making the medical
gown (1). The roll of non-woven fabric is cut into a rectangle (25)
having a top edge (26), a bottom edge (27), and two opposing side
edges (28(a)(b)), the rectangle (25) being placed on a flat table.
Optionally, multiple rectangles (25) are placed on a flat table
forming layers of rectangles (25) allowing for efficiencies in the
method of making the medical gown (1) as more than one rectangle
(25) can be prepared simultaneously.
[0061] Use of a cutting machine to punch into the rectangles (25) a
head insertion aperture (4) therein between the top edge (26) and
the bottom edge (27) between the two opposing side edges (28(a)(b))
and an opening (5) parallel to the opposing side edges (28(a)(b))
from the bottom edge (27) at least partially to a point on or below
the top edge (26). Folding the medical gown (1) such that top edge
(26) and the bottom edge (27) comprise a lower opening (23).
[0062] Then the two opposing side edges (28(a)(b)) are at least
partially joined together with the use of an ultrasonic weld.
Optionally, the two opposing side edges (28(a)(b)) can be sewn
together.
[0063] Optionally, a second rectangle having a top edge, a bottom
edge, and two opposing side edges is placed on a flat table and
then manually cut to form a sleeve piece having a top edge, a
bottom edge, a first sleeve side and a second sleeve side.
Optionally, multiple rectangles are placed on a flat table forming
layers of rectangles before the punch, allowing for efficiencies in
the method of making the sleeves. In one embodiment, the length of
the first sleeve side is greater than the length of the second
sleeve side.
[0064] Optionally, the sleeve piece is placed below a cutting
machine that punches into the sleeve piece a thump loop (11) near
the second sleeve side configured to engage the thumb of the wearer
to hold each sleeve to the wrist of the wearer. Optionally, sleeve
pieces are placed on a flat table forming layers of rectangles
before the cutting machine punches into the sleeve piece a thump
loop to allow for efficiencies in the method of making the thumb
loop. Optionally, elastic is sown across the sleeve piece at a
point between the first edge and the thumb loop.
[0065] Optionally, the sleeve pieces are then joined to the medical
gown (1) though the use of an ultrasonic weld along the opposing
sides. Optionally, the sleeve pieces are sewn to the medical gown
(1). Preferably, the first sleeve side is attached to the medical
gown (1).
[0066] In one embodiment, the tie members (21)(22) are then joined
to the medical gown (1) through the use of an ultrasonic weld.
Optionally, the tie members (21)(22) are sewn to the medical gown
(1).
[0067] All the offcuts of the non-woven fabric can optionally be
collected and sent back to the supplier of the material to be
melted down and recycled.
[0068] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope
consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the
singular, such as by use of the article "a" or "an" is not intended
to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but
rather "one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to
the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the
disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of
ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the
elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is
intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such
disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is
to be construed under the provisions of 35 USC 112, sixth
paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase
"means for" or "step for".
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