Garment

Abstract

A garment 1 to be worn by a person to be washed with assistance, the garment comprising a sleeve-less cape of a water-impermeable material having a gathering means at its upper edge (29-31, figure 3) and having at least two apertures 4, 5, 6 to allow insertion of a washing means (for example a sponge or showerhead) by a caregiver. The apertures may be located at the front, back and sides of the wearer and colour coded with tabs to aid identification. The garment might be shaped as a partial cone, that is a frustum. The gathering means may be in the form of a drawstring. The garment protects the modesty and dignity of the person who needs to be washed while the waterproof material prevents the attendant from getting wet.

Description

The present invention relates to a garment to be worn a person who requires assistance for bathing and which provides the wearer with some privacy, whilst also allowing care-giver to help shower the wearer. The garment is easy to put on and to remove so is suitable for someone with limited mobility or who uses a wheelchair. Background to the Invention Many people require assistance for personal care, in particular help in washing or showering. Ideally, the care-giver is a trusted family member, but where this is not possible, the required assistance is provided by a professional care-worker who may be employed by a local authority or agency. If the same care-giver provides assistance to the person requiring help over a period of time, a relationship of trust can be developed. However, often this is not the case and the care-worker may not have previously met the person for whom they are to provide personal care. Additionally, a professional care-worker may have a set time in which to provide the care stipulated, so that little time can be spent reassuring the person requiring care. For the person requiring assistance, being bathed by a person whom they have only just met or who is relatively unknown to them can be an unpleasant and embarrassing experience. This is particularly the case where the care is of a personal nature as the requirement to be undressed can create feelings of vulnerability as well as embarrassment. Additionally, the experience can also be embarrassing for the care-worker. The prior art describes a number of garments, such as ponchos, which are designed to provide a degree of privacy when people need to change themselves in a public place, for example after swimming or other water-sports. Examples of such garments are described in US5611083, US2005 / 0044606 or US2007 / 0157359. In each of these garments, the garments includes slits which are positioned to allow the user’s arms to exit the garment. The prior art also describes hospital gowns to be worn in bed by a patient, but which allow access to hospital equipment attached to the patient such as drips, catheters, pumps etc. or to provide patient care - see, for example, US5184351 and US4205398. CN204652761U describes a shower curtain which is hung on a rail and which has apertures for a person’s head and arms. WO2016 / 19591 describes a suit which includes plumbing to spray water inside the suit onto the body of the wearer in order to wash the wearer. However, this suit is complex to make and is difficult to put on and take off without assistance. Accordingly, there is still a need to provide a garment to provide privacy to a person who is being showered by a care-giver. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a garment to be worn by a person to be washed with assistance, the garment comprising a sleeve-less cape of a water-impermeable material having a gathering means at its upper edge and having at least two apertures to allow insertion of a washing means (such as a sponge or showerhead) by a care-giver. The garment can be in the form or a tube or a frustum. Conveniently the garment is hoodless. Conveniently the garment is long enough to cover the wearer’s body from their neck to their knees. The garment can be gathered at its upper edge through operation of the gathering means, for example using a drawstring which can conveniently be located at a top hem or other channel formed in the garment. Optionally, the drawstring includes a stopper which prevents the drawstring being inadvertently pulled too tight. Optionally, the upper edge includes an elasticated portion. In use this gathering of the top edge of the garment allows the garment to be positioned around the body of the wearer so that it remains in position whilst the wearer is washed. For example, the garment can be placed over the wearer’s head and loosely gathered at the wearer’s neck - this allows the whole body of the wearer to be covered so that their dignity is maintained. The care-giver can then insert a showerhead into one of the apertures present in the garment so that the wearer can be washed, and their modesty is maintained throughout the process. The garment will have at least two apertures to facilitate washing. The position of the apertures is selected to ensure suitable areas of the wearer’s body are washed. Each aperture will be sized to easily allow the insertion of a washing means such as a showerhead or sponge, for example. Where the garment has two apertures, the apertures will be located at each side of the garment and the fullness of the garment will be sufficient to allow the washing means to be moved in order to wash other parts of the wearer’s body. Optionally, the garment can have three apertures. Where the garment has three apertures, optionally one aperture will be positioned towards the front or back of the garment, and one aperture will positioned at each side of the garment. Optionally, the garment can have four apertures. Where the garment has four apertures, optionally one aperture will be positioned towards the front of the garment, one aperture will be positioned towards the back of the garment, and one aperture will positioned be at each side of the garment. Conveniently, each aperture can include a coloured indicia, for example a coloured tab or a coloured binding, to facilitate its easy location. Optionally, the colours are selected to be contrasting and easy to see relative to the colour of the garment. Optionally the coloured indicia are different colours for apertures located at the front, sides and back. Optionally, the garment of the invention does not include sleeves or armholes, and the position of the side apertures are lower than the position of armholes within a garment. Optionally, the garment of the invention does not include any fastening means other than the gathering means around the top edge. Optionally, the garment is formed with sufficient material so that the garment can be moved down the wearer’s body, if appropriate - for example the garment can be moved so that it is positioned underneath the wearer’s arms, or can be around the wearer’s waist. This allows the wearer or care-giver to position the garment appropriately for the personal care to be provided and / or to gradually remove the garment as the wearer is dried following the provision of personal care, and as the wearer is dressed afterwards. The garment can optionally include pockets. The garment can optionally include a hanging hook (for example a loop of material positioned centrally at the back upper edge of the garment - although other positions are also possible). The hanging hook allows the garment to be located onto a hook thereby allowing drying and / or storage of the garment when not in use. Optionally, the garment is formed from a lightweight but opaque water-proof material. Polyester fabrics are suitable, for example. The garment also has the advantage of maintaining the warmth of warm water used during washing close to the wearer’s body during the washing process, which can be helpful as assisted washing can take a relatively long time and it is possible for the person being cared for to become cold during the process. The present invention is now further described with reference to the following, nonlimiting figures, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the front view of a garment according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a garment according to the present invention, showing the rear view. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of the front view of a garment according to the present invention. Figure 1 shows a garment 1 formed in a generally tubular form. As illustrated the garment is in the form of a truncated cone or frustum, that is the garment is flared from the upper edge 2 down to the lower edge 3. Upper edge 2 and lower edge will conveniently be finished using a hem which may be sewn, glued or heat-sealed, depending the fabric selected. Upper edge 2 can include a drawstring or other gathering means (not shown). Generally, the gathering means will include a stopper to prevent a drawstring from being pulled too tightly. Optionally, the gathering means will extend only part-way around the upper edge of the garment, for example approximately half-way around the upper edge. Conveniently, the gathering means can be positioned at the rear side of the garment. In use, the garment will be placed onto the wearer so that upper edge 2 is positioned at the required location on the body, for example around the neck, underneath the arms or around the waist of the wearer. Once the garment is in position it is possible for the wearer to remove any remaining clothes ready for bathing, with their modesty being preserved. As shown in Figure 1, the front side of the garment of the invention includes 3 apertures, 4, 5, 6. Although not shown in Figure 1 the rear portion of the garment can include a further aperture to allow washing of a different part of the wearer’s body. Aperture 4 is positioned substantially centrally on the garment, whilst apertures 5 and 6 are located towards each side of the garment. In this embodiment, aperture 4 is longer and positioned slightly lower than apertures 5 and 6. It should be noted, that the apertures are positioned to facilitate washing of the wearer’s body, rather than to allow the wearer to extend their arm through the aperture - in other words the side apertures 5 and 6 are not located at the position for armholes, but a located lower in the garment. As illustrated, each aperture includes at least one tab 8 (in Figure 1 each aperture is shown as having two tabs 8, but one tab can alternatively be used). Each tab 8 will be of a contrasting colour to the main colour of the garment to allow easy location of the apertures. Optionally each aperture can be designed to include an internal or external flap and / or a hook and loop fastener to avoid the aperture gaping open when not in use. Optionally each of the tab for a specific aperture can be a different colour to each other aperture so that the specific aperture can be readily identified. Alternatively, the side apertures 5, 6 can have tabs of the same colour, whilst the front aperture and / or any back aperture (not shown in Figure 1) can have different colours). Figure 2 shows the rear view of a garment 11 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Garment 11 is formed in a generally tubular form. As illustrated the garment 11 is in the form of a truncated cone or frustum, that is the garment 11 is flared from the upper edge 12 down to the lower edge 13. Upper edgel 2 and lower edge will conveniently be finished using a hem which may be sewn, glued or heat-sealed, depending the fabric selected. Upper edge 12 can include a drawstring or other gathering means (not shown). Generally, the gathering means will include a stopper to prevent a drawstring from being pulled too tightly. In use, the garment will be placed onto the wearer so that upper edge 12 is position at the required location on the body, for example around the neck, underneath the arms or around the waist. Once the garment 11 is in position it is possible for the wearer to remove any remaining clothes ready for bathing, with their modesty being preserved. As shown in Figure 2, the rear side of garment 11 a rear aperture 7. Although not shown in Figure 2 the front portion of the garment 11 can include further apertures as described above for Figure 1 to allow washing of a different part of the wearer’s body. Aperture 7 is positioned substantially centrally on the garment 11, but this position can be varied provided that access for washing the wearer’s body is provided. It should be noted, that the apertures are positioned to facilitate washing of the wearer’s body, rather than to allow the wearer to extend their arms through the aperture. As illustrated, aperture 7 includes at least one tab 18 (in Figure 2 aperture 7 is shown as having two tabs 18, but one tab can alternatively be used). Each tab 18 will be of a contrasting colour to the main colour of the garment to allow easy location of the apertures. Optionally aperture 7 can be designed to include an internal or external flap and / or a hook and loop fastener to avoid the aperture gaping open when not in use. Optionally tabs 18 may be of a different colour to at least one other tab on garment 11 to allow easy identification of the aperture. As shown in Figure 3, the front side of the garment of the invention includes 2 apertures, 25, 26. Although not shown in Figure 3 the rear portion of the garment 21 can include a further aperture to allow washing of a different part of the wearer’s body. Apertures 25 and 26 are located towards each side of the garment. It should be noted, that the apertures are positioned to facilitate washing of the wearer’s body, rather than to allow the wearer to extend their arm through the aperture - in other words the side apertures 25 and 26 are not located at the position for armholes, but a located lower in the garment 21. As illustrated, each aperture 25, 26 includes at least one tab 28 (in Figure 3 each aperture is shown as having two tabs 28, but one tab can alternatively be used). Each tab 28 can be of a contrasting colour to the main colour of the garment to allow easy location of the apertures 25, 26. Optionally each aperture 25, 26 can be designed to include an internal or external flap and / or a hook and loop fastener to avoid the aperture gaping open when not in use. Optionally each tab 28 for a specific aperture can be a different colour to each other aperture so that the specific aperture can be readily identified. Alternatively, the side apertures 25, 26 can have tabs of the same colour, whilst any front aperture and / or any back aperture (not shown in Figure 3) can have different colours). Upper edge 22 can include a drawstring or other gathering means shown schematically as gathering means 29 which extends partially around the upper edge of the garment 21, for example may extend approximately half-way around the circumference of the upper edge 22. Optionally, the gathering means 29 can include a stopper to prevent a drawstring 31 from being pulled too tightly. As illustrated gathering means is formed from a drawstring 31 located within an open- ended seam positioned at the upper edge 22 of the garment 21. The draw string 31 is long enough so that, once it has been passed through the open seam at the upper edge 22, its free ends (shown at 31 in Fig. 3) are long enough to allow the draw string to be gently tightened, in order to cause gathering of the open seam and thus at least a portion of the upper edge of the garment 21. In use, the garment 21 will be placed onto the wearer so that upper edge 22 is positioned at the required location on the wearer’s body, for example around the neck, underneath the arms or around the waist. Once the garment 21 is in position it is possible for the wearer to remove any remaining clothes ready for bathing, with their modesty being preserved. As shown in Figure 3, the garment can also include a hanging hook to allow the garment to be conveniently hung on a hook when not in use. In use, the garment 1,11,21 is placed onto the wearer who is already positioned in the shower, bath or suitable wet room area, and the gathering means 29 of upper edge 2,12, 22 is pulled sufficiently to hold the garment in position whilst not being too tight to be uncomfortable. Optionally part of the upper edge 2, 12, 22 can be elasticated, for comfort. Optionally, the back portion of the upper edge of the garment can be elasticated. The wearer can then remove any remaining clothing but the garment allows the wearer to maintain their modesty. A caregiver can then wash the wearer either by inserting a showerhead into each aperture and / or by using a sponge or other washing means. Once the washing has been completed, it is possible for the wearer to be given a towel over the garment 1, 11,21 and the garment 1,11,21 can be slid down the wearer’s body. It is possible to slide the garment in stages, for example to the waist of the wearer whilst the upper body is dried (and optionally emollient or medication applied to the skin of the wearer) and the wearer partially dressed, before drying the remaining part of the wearer’s body and completion of dressing. All documents referred to herein are incorporated by reference. Any modifications and / or variations to described embodiments that would be apparent to one of skill in art are hereby encompassed. Whilst the invention has been described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be unduly limited to these specific embodiments or examples.

Claims

1. A garment to be worn by a person to be washed with assistance, the garment comprising a sleeve-less, hoodless cape of a water-impermeable material having a gathering means at its upper edge and having at least two apertures to allow insertion of a washing means by a care-giver, wherein said garment does not include armholes, and wherein said apertures are positioned lower than a position of armholes.

2. The garment as claimed in claim 2 which is in the form of a frustum.

3. The garment as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2 having at least 3apertures.

4. The garment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the apertures are located at the front and both sides of the garment.

5. The garment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the apertures are located at the back and both sides of the garment.

6. The garment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 having at least 4 apertures.

7. The garment as claimed in claim 6 wherein the apertures are located at the front,back and both sides of the garment.

8. The garment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each aperture can be identified by a coloured inidicia.

9. The garment as claimed in claim 8 wherein the coloured indicia is a coloured tab.12

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