Medical gown and method of wearing it

Abstract

The medical gowns offer easy donning and doffing, while also being disposable medical gowns that can be optimally configured for manufacturing using automation. [Solution] The medical gown 100 may include a top portion 110, a bottom portion 112, a first tie, a second tie, and a cover patch. The top portion may include arm portions 140 and a neck opening 152. The bottom portion may include a front bottom side, a first back flap, a second back flap, and a first tie formed integrally with the first back flap. The first and second back flaps may extend from both edges of the front bottom side. The cover patch may be configured to at least partially join the top portion and the bottom portion together. The second tie may be joined between the cover patch and the bottom portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to medical gowns. More specifically, the present invention relates to multi-piece back-close / tube-type medical gowns.

Background Art

[0002] Medical gowns are commonly used in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. Medical gowns are worn by both users and medical providers during medical procedures. Medical gowns serve a protective function by assisting in preventing the spread of bacteria and microbial infections. For example, hospital staff, patients, and visitors may wear isolation clothing to avoid exposure to blood, other body fluids, and infectious substances or to protect patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems, from infection.

[0003] One problem associated with prior art medical gowns is that they take time to put on and take off. Additionally, when the gown is sterile, it is difficult to put on the gown without compromising its external sterility. It is also difficult to take off the medical gown, and there is a risk of impairing its protective function by infecting the user with bacteria when removing the gown. It would be advantageous to have an improved medical gown.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Disclosure of the Invention This disclosure provides a disposable medical gown that can be easily put on and taken off. The disposable medical gown comprises a two-piece structure having an upper portion and a lower portion that are bonded together to define an overlap of multiple layers. The disposable medical gown includes a slit on the back (for example, defined between the first and second back flaps) that terminates at the overlap of the multiple layers that are bonded together, the outermost layer of which is a cover patch. The cover patch is bonded to the overlapping layers and is further used to reinforce the connection between the back portion and the first and second ties. The disposable medical gown further includes finger slits, unlike thumbholes at the ends of the sleeves. Due to the separate upper and lower portions combined with the cover patch, the disposable medical gown is suitable for construction using a high-speed process.

[0005] In certain embodiments, the exemplary medical gown disclosed herein may include a top portion, a bottom portion, a first tie, a second tie, and a cover patch. The top portion may include arm sections and a neck opening. The bottom portion may include a front bottom side, a first back flap, a second back flap, and a first tie formed integrally with the first back flap. The first and second back flaps may extend from both edges of the front bottom side. The cover patch may be configured to at least partially join the top portion and the bottom portion together. The second tie may be joined between the cover patch and the bottom portion.

[0006] In exemplary aspects according to the embodiments referenced above, the front side of the top portion may at least partially overlap the front bottom side of the bottom portion and may be further joined to the front bottom side of the bottom portion.

[0007] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the first tie may be defined by a notch in the first back flap.

[0008] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the notch in the first rear flap may be offset from the lower edge of the bottom portion.

[0009] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the cut in the first rear flap may be offset from the cover patch.

[0010] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the cut may include a crush cut.

[0011] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the cover patch may be positioned along the rear side of the top portion and along the first and second rear flaps of the bottom portion.

[0012] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the cover patch may be attached to the lower edge of the top portion and to the upper flap edges of the first and second back flaps of the bottom portion.

[0013] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the second tie may be attached between the cover patch and the second back flap. In this embodiment, the second tie may be further attached to the bottom portion very close to the lower edge of the bottom portion.

[0014] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the top portion may include a weakened portion extending downward from the neck opening along the back side of the top portion.

[0015] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the weakened portion may include a V-shaped portion extending downward from the neck opening and a straight portion extending downward from the V-shaped portion.

[0016] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the cover patch may include a weakened portion that is aligned with the weakened portion of the top portion.

[0017] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the weakened portion may be defined by perforations comprising multiple slits separated by multiple material bridges.

[0018] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, each of the multiple slits may have a slit length of about 0.9 inches, and each of the multiple material bridges may have a bridge length of about 0.2 inches.

[0019] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiments referenced above, the top portion may include a single piece of material that is folded in half along the upper fold to define the arm portion.

[0020] In another exemplary aspect according to the embodiment referenced above, the arm may include thumb slits defined along the anterior side of the upper portion, each thumb slit being approximately 3 inches in size.

[0021] In another embodiment, exemplary methods for putting on a medical gown are disclosed herein. The method may include (a) detaching the lower portions of first and second ties of a medical gown, wherein the first tie is formed integrally with a first back flap and is centrally located along the back side of the medical gown, and the second tie is attached to the back side of the medical gown very close to a first fold edge defined between the front and back sides of the medical gown; and (b) wrapping the first and second ties around the user.

[0022] In exemplary situations according to the embodiments referenced above, step (a) of the method may further include positioning the medical gown on the user such that the medical gown covers the user at least partially.

[0023] In another exemplary aspect following the embodiments referenced above, the method may further include the step of tying together the first and second ties along the front side of the medical gown.

[0024] In another exemplary aspect relating to the embodiments referenced above, the method may further include the step of putting the user's thumb through a thumb slit defined along the arm of the medical gown.

[0025] In another exemplary aspect according to the aspects referenced above, after step (a), only the upper ends of the first and second ties may be coupled to the medical gown.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a medical gown according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the medical gown of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the medical gown of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure, in a state where the first and second rear flaps are lifted and the first and second ties are lifted. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the medical gown of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the medical gown of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view of the top portion of the medical gown of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the dashed-line area 7 in FIG. 6 of the top portion of the medical gown of FIG. 6 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view of the cover patch of the medical gown of FIG. 2 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the dashed-line area 8A in FIG. 8 of the cover patch of the medical gown of FIG. 8 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the bottom portion of the medical gown of FIG. 1 in a deployed form according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the bottom portion of the medical gown of FIG. 9 in a partially folded form according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the bottom portion of the medical gown of FIG. 9 in a folded form according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12]Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for putting on the medical gown shown in Figure 1, in accordance with this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Best mode for carrying out the invention Next, aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail, and one or more drawings thereof are included herein. Each drawing is provided for illustrative purposes of the present disclosure and is not limiting. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, features exemplified or described as part of one aspect can be used with another aspect to create yet another aspect.

[0028] Accordingly, this disclosure is intended to encompass such modifications and changes that fall within the scope of the attached claims and their equivalents. Other purposes, features, and aspects of this disclosure are disclosed in or become apparent from the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will understand that this detailed description is merely an illustrative description and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of this disclosure.

[0029] Referring to Figures 1-3, a medical gown 100 is shown. The medical gown 100 may also be referred to herein as a disposable medical gown 100, an isolation gown 100, or simply a gown 100. The medical gown 100 is configured to be easily put on and taken off. The medical gown 100 includes a top portion 110 and a bottom portion 112. The top portion 110 and the bottom portion 112 may be separate pieces joined together. In other optional embodiments, the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 112 may be formed integrally. The top portion 110 may also be referred to herein as the top piece 110. The bottom portion 112 may also be referred to herein as the bottom piece 112.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the top portion 110 may overlap the bottom portion 112 along the front side 102 of the medical gown 100 and may be bonded together using an adhesive. As shown in Figures 2-4, the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 112 may be joined together along the back side 104 of the medical gown 100 using a cover patch 120 of the medical gown 100. For example, the cover patch 120 may be joined along the back side 104 and to the lower edge 114 of the top portion 110 and the upper edge 172 of the bottom portion 112, corresponding to the first and second back flaps 130, 132. The top portion 110 and the bottom portion 112 may have a gap along the back side 104 of the medical gown 100. In other optional embodiments, the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 112 may overlap along the back side 104 of the medical gown 100. The cover patch 120 can be bonded to the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 112, respectively, along the back side 104 of the medical gown 100 using adhesive 106. The adhesive may be a hot-melt type adhesive or similar adhesive configured to operate in a way that is compatible with a high-speed automated process for constructing the medical gown 100.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2-3, the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100 may include a front bottom side 128, a first back flap 130 and a second back flap 132 extending from both edges of the front bottom side 128, and a first tie string 134 integrally formed as part of the first back flap 130 near the center of the back side 104 of the medical gown 100. The medical gown 100 may further include a second tie string 136 joined to the first back flap 130 closer to the left fold edge 131 of the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100 than to the right fold edge 133 of the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100. The left fold edge 131 may also be referred to herein as the first fold edge 131 or first edge 131. The right fold edge 133 may also be referred to herein as the second fold edge 133 or second edge 133. In certain optional embodiments (not shown), the first tie string 134 may be integrally formed as part of the second back flap 132, and the second tie string 136 may be attached to the second back flap 132 very close to the right folding edge of the bottom portion 112.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first back flap 130 and the second back flap 132 may be configured to overlap, regardless of the integrally formed first tie 134. The second tie 136 may be attached to the medical gown 100 using a cover patch 120 and an adhesive that connects it to the back side 104 of the medical gown 100. The connection of the first and second ties 134, 136 to the back side 104 of the medical gown 100 may be reinforced by the use of the cover patch 120.

[0033] In certain optional embodiments, the top portion 110 may be wider than the bottom portion 112 where it overlaps and joins with the bottom portion 112. In such embodiments, the cover patch 120 may extend beyond the edge of the bottom portion 112 and adhere to the upper portion 110 (for example, the back of the front portion of the upper portion 110 of the medical gown 100). In this way, overlapping and gapped portions of the medical gown 100 are concealed and sealed by the use of the cover patch 120.

[0034] The arm portion 140 of the medical gown 100 may be formed by a joined seam 142 to connect two layers to each other. The joined seam 142 may be achieved using ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, or adhesive, etc., which are compatible with a high-speed automated process for constructing the medical gown 100.

[0035] Referring to Figures 6-7, a detailed view of the top portion 110 of the medical gown 100 is shown. The top portion 110 includes a single piece of material that folds along an upper fold 150 to define the arm portions 140. The top portion 110 further includes a neck opening 152 defined therein and bisected by the upper fold 150. Each of the arm portions 140 of the top portion 110 may include a thumb slit 154. The thumb slit 154 is useful for making it easier to keep the user's arms covered even when wearing the gown with gloves on. The thumb slit 154 may be about 3 inches. In other optional embodiments, the thumb slit 154 may be larger or smaller than 3 inches, depending on the size of the medical gown 100 (e.g., small, medium, large, etc.). In certain optional embodiments, a cover patch 120 may be cut out from the top portion 110 during the construction of the medical gown 100.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the top portion 110 of the medical gown 100 may include a weakened portion 160 extending downward from the neck opening 152 along the back side 104 of the medical gown 100. The weakened portion 160 may extend from the neck opening 152 to the opening between the first and second back flaps 130, 132. As shown in Figure 7, the weakened portion 160 may include a V-shaped portion 162 extending downward from the neck opening 152 and a straight portion 164 extending downward from the V-shaped portion 162.

[0037] The weakened portion 160 may be defined by perforations including a plurality of slits 166 alternately separated by a plurality of material bridges 168. As shown in Figure 7, each of the plurality of slits 166 may include a slit length 167, and each of the plurality of material bridges 168 may include a bridge length 169. In one optional embodiment, the slit length 167 of the V-shaped portion 162 may be about 0.9 inches and the bridge length 169 may be 0.2 inches. In another optional embodiment, the slit length 167 of the straight portion 164 may be about 2.29 inches and the bridge length 169 may be 0.2 inches. In a further optional embodiment, the slit length 167 of the weakened portion 122 of the cover patch 120 may be about 0.39 inches and the bridge length 169 may be 0.12 inches. In other optional embodiments, the slit length 167 and bridge length 169 may vary.

[0038] Similarly, as shown in Figures 8 and 8A, the cover patch 120 includes a weakened portion 122. The weakened portion 122 of the cover patch is configured to be in a straight line with the straight portion 164 of the weakened portion 160 of the top portion 110 of the medical gown 100. The weakened portion 122 may be similar to the weakened portion 160. Thus, the similar features of the weakened portion 122 may be displayed similarly to the features of the weakened portion 160.

[0039] The weakened portions 160 and 122 of the upper portion 110 and the cover patch 120 respectively allow the medical gown 100 to be removed (e.g., peeled off) by pulling it forward from the user's body and tearing the medical gown 100 along the weakened portions 160 and 122.

[0040] The weakened portions 160 and 122 of the top portion 110 and the cover patch 120 may be formed, respectively, as conventional perforations which are cuts that penetrate the material, or as any other processing that weakens the material.

[0041] Referring to Figures 9-11, detailed views of the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100 are shown. Figure 9 shows an unfolded view of the bottom portion 112. Figure 10 shows a partially folded view of the bottom portion 112. Figure 11 shows a folded view of the bottom portion 112. The bottom portion 112 is folded in two positions to form the first and second back flaps 130, 132. As shown in Figure 9, the second tie string 136 can be cut from the bottom portion 112 during the construction of the medical gown 100.

[0042] The first tie string 134 is formed integrally with the bottom portion 112 by making an incision in the bottom portion 112 at a specific position, leaving the first tie string 134 connected to the bottom portion 112. The incision 170 may be a crush cut. For example, the incision 170 defining the first tie string 134 terminates in front of the upper edge 172 of the bottom portion 112 and is offset from the cover patch 120. The incision 170 defining the first tie string 134 also terminates in front of the lower edge 174 of the bottom portion 112. The first tie string 134 is connected to the bottom portion 112 at the top and bottom to maintain the first tie string 134 in place while the gown is constructed and folded using a high-speed automated process for constructing the medical gown 100. The first tie string 134 is configured to be torn off from the lower end 174 of the medical gown 100 before or after the medical gown 100 is put on, so that the first tie string 134 can be used together with the second tie string 136 to fasten the medical gown 100 around the user's waist.

[0043] As shown in Figure 11, the second tie string 136 can be attached to the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100 using adhesive applied to the upper portion 180 and the lower portion 182 of the second tie string 136. The upper portion 180 of the second tie string 136 can be attached to the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100 closer to the upper edge 172 than to the lower edge 174. The lower portion 182 of the second tie string 136 can be attached to the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100 closer to the lower edge 174 than to the upper edge 172 (for example, very close to the lower edge 174). The adhesive applied to the lower portion 182 may be weak enough to allow the lower portion 182 of the second tie 136 to be easily torn from the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100 in order to use the second tie 136 together with the first tie 134 to fasten the medical gown 100 around the user's waist or torso, either before or after the medical gown 100 is put on.

[0044] When the medical gown 100 is constructed using a high-speed automated process, the connection between the first tie 134 and the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100, and the connection between the second tie 136 and the bottom portion 112 of the medical gown 100 are reinforced by the cover patch 120.

[0045] The medical gown 100 is configured to operate in such a way that it can be constructed using a high-speed automated process that can construct, fold, and package the medical gown 100. The various elements of the medical gown 100, namely the separate upper portion 110, lower portion 112, and cover patch 120, make the medical gown particularly suitable for construction using a high-speed automated process. Furthermore, for example, the first tie string 134 is formed integrally with the bottom portion 112, and the second tie string 136 is formed from the bottom portion 112 (e.g., cut off), and both tie strings 134 and 136 are joined to the bottom portion 112 at the top and bottom respectively, which helps to make the medical gown 100 sufficiently suitable for construction and folding before packaging using a high-speed automated process.

[0046] The rapid automated process may include constructing the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 112 separately. The rapid automated process may continue by joining the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 112 together and attaching the cover patch 120. The rapid automated process may further include folding and packaging the completed or assembled medical gown 100 so as not to impair its sterility.

[0047] Referring to Figure 12, a flowchart of a method 200 for putting on a medical gown 100 is shown. The medical gown 100 may be configured to be positioned at least partially on the user (not shown). Method 200 may include (a) a step 202 of detaching the lower portions 210 of the first and second ties 134, 136 of the medical gown 100. The first tie 134 may be formed integrally with the first back flap 130 and be centrally located along the back side 104 of the medical gown 100. The second tie 136 may be attached to the back side 104 of the medical gown 100 very close to the first fold edge 131 defined between the front side 102 and the back side 104 of the medical gown 100. Method 200 may further include (b) a step 204 of wrapping the first and second ties 134, 136 around the user.

[0048] In a particular optional embodiment, step (a) of method 200 may further include positioning the medical gown 100 on the user such that the medical gown 100 covers the user at least partially. In another optional embodiment, method 200 may further include tying together the first and second ties 134, 136 along the front side 102 of the medical gown 100. In a further optional embodiment, method 200 may further include putting the user's thumb through a thumb slit 154 defined along the arm portion 140 of the medical gown 100. After step (a), only the upper ends 146, 148 of the first and second ties 134, 136 are attached to the medical gown 100.

[0049] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, several terms are defined prior to this document. Terms defined herein have meanings generally understood by those skilled in the art in the field relating to the invention. Words such as singular articles ("a," "an," and "the") are not intended to refer to only a single entity, but include general classes to which specific examples may be used for illustrative purposes. Technical terms used herein are used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their use does not limit the scope of the invention, except as stated in the claims. The phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein may refer to the same embodiment, but not necessarily the same embodiment.

[0050] Conditional language used herein, particularly "may," "may," "perhaps," and "for example," is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include certain features, elements, and / or states, while other aspects do not, unless otherwise specified or interpreted in the context in which they are used. Therefore, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or states are required in any way in one or more aspects, or that one or more aspects necessarily include logic for determining whether these features, elements, and / or states are included or performed in any particular aspect, with or without input or prompting from the author.

[0051] Although aspects of the present invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0052] This specification discloses the invention using examples and enables those skilled in the art to practice the invention, including by fabricating and using any device or system and by performing any embodied method. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that are conceivable by those skilled in the art. Such other examples are deemed to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not different from the literal wording of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that differ only slightly from the literal wording of the claims.

[0053] It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are illustrative and not intended to be limitations of the invention. The main features of the invention can be used in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of the invention and are encompassed by the claims.

[0054] All compositions and / or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be prepared and / or performed without excessive experimentation in light of this disclosure. Although the compositions and methods of the present invention have been described in part with respect to the embodiments contained herein, it will be apparent that modifications can be made to the compositions and / or methods described herein, as well as to the steps or sequence of steps of the methods, without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutions and modifications that would be obvious to those skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0055] The detailed descriptions provided above are for illustrative and illustrative purposes only. While specific aspects of novel and useful inventions have been described, such references are not intended to be construed as limitations on the scope of this disclosure, except as provided in the appended claims.

Claims

1. The top section, including the arm and neck openings; A bottom portion comprising a front bottom side, a first back flap, a second back flap, and a first tie string formed integrally with the first back flap, wherein the first and second back flaps extend from both edges of the front bottom side; A cover patch configured to at least partially join the top portion and the bottom portion together; and A second tie is attached between the cover patch and the bottom portion. Medical gowns, including [this item].

2. The medical gown according to claim 1, wherein the front side of the top portion at least partially overlaps with the front bottom side of the bottom portion and is joined to the front bottom side of the bottom portion.

3. The medical gown according to claim 1, wherein the first tie string is defined by a notch in the first back flap.

4. The medical gown according to claim 3, wherein the slit in the first back flap is offset from the lower edge of the bottom portion.

5. The medical gown according to claim 3, wherein the slit in the first back flap is offset from the cover patch.

6. A medical gown according to claim 3, wherein the cuts include crush cuts.

7. The medical gown according to claim 1, wherein the cover patch is positioned along the back side of the top portion and along the first and second back flaps of the bottom portion.

8. The medical gown according to claim 7, wherein the cover patch is attached to the lower edge of the top portion and the upper edge of the bottom portion, corresponding to the first and second back flaps. do.

9. The second tie is connected between the cover patch and the first back flap, The second tie string is further attached to the bottom portion very close to the lower edge of the bottom portion. A medical gown according to claim 1.

10. The medical gown according to claim 1, wherein the top portion includes a weakened portion that extends downward from the neck opening along the back side of the top portion.

11. The medical gown according to claim 10, wherein the weakened portion includes a V-shaped portion extending downward from the neck opening and a straight portion extending downward from the V-shaped portion.

12. The medical gown according to claim 10, wherein the cover patch includes a weakened portion that is in line with the weakened portion of the top portion.

13. The medical gown according to claim 10, wherein the weakened portion is defined by perforations including a plurality of slits alternately separated by a plurality of material bridges.

14. Each of the multiple slits has a slit length of approximately 0.9 inches, Each of the multiple material bridges includes a bridge length of approximately 0.2 inches. A medical gown according to claim 13.

15. The medical gown according to claim 1, wherein the top portion comprises a single piece of material folded in half along an upper fold to define the arm portion.

16. A method for putting on a medical gown configured to be positioned on a user, (a) a step of separating the lower portions of first and second ties of a medical gown, wherein the first tie is formed integrally with a first back flap and is centrally located along the back side of the medical gown, and the second tie is attached to the back side of the medical gown very close to a first fold edge defined between the front side and the back side of the medical gown; and (b) The process of wrapping the first and second knots around the user. Methods that include...

17. Step (a) is, To position the medical gown on the user such that it covers the user at least partially. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

18. Tie the first and second ties together along the front of the medical gown. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

19. The user's thumb is inserted through the thumb slit defined along the arm of the medical gown. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein after step (a), only the upper ends of the first and second ties are attached to the medical gown.

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