Gloves attached but removable from garments

Abstract

A protective garment is provided consisting of a garment body having at least one sleeve, a glove associated with the sleeve, and an adhesive disposed upon a surface of the glove, the sleeve, or both. The adhesive forms an interface between the two surfaces. The adhesive has sufficient adhesion to remain affixed substantially to the surface to which it is applied while having sufficient strength to enable donning of the garment without damaging the interface. The glove is removable from the garment body by breaking the interface, without causing damage to the surfaces of the glove or garment body, and without migration of the adhesive from the surface to which it was applied.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to protective garments for use with gloves, for example surgical gowns used with surgical gloves. [0002] Protective garments, such as clean room apparel, coveralls, and gowns, designed to provide barrier protection to a wearer are well known in the art. Such protective garments are used in situations where isolation of a wearer from a particular environment is desirable, or it is desirable to inhibit or retard the passage of hazardous liquids and biological contaminates through the garment to the wearer. [0003] In the medical and health-care industry, particularly with surgical procedures, a primary concern is isolation of the medical practitioner from patient fluids such as blood, saliva, perspiration, etc. Protective garments rely on the barrier properties of the fabrics used in the garments, and on the construction and design of the garment. Openings or seams in the garments may be unsatisfactory, especial...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention is a garment body having at least one sleeve, a glove, and an adhesive disposed upon a surface. The surface may be either an interior surface of the glove, an exterior surface of the sleeve, or both. The adhesive forms an interface between the two surfaces and exhibits sufficient adhesion to remain affixed substantially to the surface to which it is applied while having sufficient strength to enable donning of the garment without damaging the interface. The glove itself is removable from the garment body by breaking the interface. An adhesive is selected such that it does not cause damage to the surfaces of the glove or garment body, and does not migrate from the surface to which it was applied.

[0014] In still another embodiment of the present invention, a surgical gown is provided. The surgical gown is made up of a gown body having two sleeves, a detachable glove associated with each sleeve, and an adhesive disposed upon an inner surface of each glove for attaching the glove to the gown sleeve. The adhesive is sufficiently strong so as to enable donning of the surgical gown without separating the glove from the sleeve. The glove is removable from the sleeve by peeling the glove from the sleeve without damaging the glove, the sleeve, or the gown body.

Problems solved by technology

Openings or seams in the garments may be unsatisfactory, especially if the seams or openings are located in positions where they may be subjected to stress and / or direct contact with the hazardous substances.

However, the interface between the glove and the protective garment is an area of concern.

For example, a common issue with surgical gloves is glove “roll-down” or slippage resulting from a low frictional interface between the interior side of the glove and the surgical gown sleeve.

When the glove rolls down or slips on the sleeve, the wearer is at greater risk of exposure to patient fluids and / or other contaminants.

An additional problem associated with the use of surgical gloves is that as a result of the gloves being pulled up over the cuff and sleeve of the gown, a phenomenon known as “channeling” occurs.

The fluids may then contaminate the gown cuff, which lies directly against the wearer's wrist or forearm, particularly if the cuff is absorbent or otherwise fluid pervious.

This approach has drawbacks though.

Many of the common adhesives utilized in tapes are subject to attack by water and body fluids and the seal can be broken during a procedure.

However, this practice is awkward to implement and difficult to adjust or vary the pressure exerted by the rubber band other than by having a variety of rubber bands of different sizes and tensions available for use.

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