Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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DISPOSABLE MEDICAL GOWNS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to disposable medical gowns.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] Disposable medical gowns are infection control products
utilized by health care professionals and visitors to control the spread of
infectious germs, viruses, diseases, etc. and/or other non-desirable
communicable conditions.
[0004] When a disposable medical gown is removed from a person,
a strap attached to the gown is untied. This allows germs or viruses to engage
the clothing of the person based on contact between a person's hand untying
the
strap and the clothing of the person wearing the gown. Further, untying the
strap
may expose the clothing of the person wearing the gown to stains based on any
medical compounds that are present on the hands, surgical gloves, etc.of the
person untying the strap.
SUMMARY
[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its
features.
[0006] Example embodiments of the present disclosure are
generally directed toward disposable medical gowns. In one
example
embodiment, a disposable medical gown includes a front portion, at least one
arm portion coupled to and extending from the front portion, at least one side
portion coupled to the front portion, and a releasably engageable strap
coupled
to the disposable medical gown. The front portion and the at least one side
portion are configured to define a cavity portion of the disposable medical
gown.
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The releasably engageable strap is configured to extend about the at least one
side portion and couple to the front portion.
[0007] In another example embodiment, a method of securing a
disposable medical gown on a user is disclosed. The disposable medical gown
includes a front portion having opposing side edges, two arm portions, two
side
portions, and a releasably engageable strap coupled to the disposable medical
gown. The releasably engageable strap includes an adhesive portion. Each arm
portion and each side portion are coupled to an opposing side edge of the
front
portion. The method includes extending one arm portion of the two arm portions
around the one side portion of the disposable medical gown, extending another
arm portion of the two arm portions around another one of the two side
portions
of the disposable medical gown, extending the releasably engageable strap
coupled to the one side portion about the other side portion, and coupling the
releasably engageable strap to the front portion via the adhesive portion.
(0008] In yet another example embodiment, a method of disposing
of a disposable medical gown on a user is disclosed. The disposable medical
gown includes a front portion having an adhesive portion and opposing side
edges, two arm portions, two side portions, and a releasably engageable strap
coupled to the disposable medical gown. Each arm portion and each side
portion are coupled to an opposing side edge of the front portion. The method
includes applying a force to the disposable medical gown to tear one or more
perforated portions positioned on the disposable medical gown, rolling/folding
the
disposable medical gown upon itself, and coupling the adhesive portion of the
front portion to the rolled/folded disposable medical gown to secure the
rolled/folded disposable medical gown.
[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this
summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0011] Fig. 1 is a front view of a disposable medical gown according
to one example embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0012] Fig. 2 is a rear view of the disposable medical gown of Fig.
1.
[0013] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of Fig.
2.
[0014] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the disposable medical gown of Fig.
1
on a user.
[00151 Fig. 5 is a rear view of the disposable medical gown of Fig.
4
having a releasably engageable strap extending about the user.
[0016] Fig. 6 is a front view of the disposable medical gown of Fig.
having the releasably engageable strap coupled to the disposable medical
gown.
[0017] Fig. 7 is the disposable medical gown of Fig. 1 folded/roiled
for disposal.
[0018] Fig. 8 is a front view of a disposable medical gown according
to another example embodiment.
[0019] Fig. 9 is a rear view of the disposable medical gown of Fig.
8.
[0020] Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of Fig.
9.
[0021] Fig. 11 is a rear view of the disposable medical gown of Fig.
8 on a user.
[0022] Fig. 12 is a rear view of the disposable medical gown of Fig.
11 having a releasably engageable strap extending about the user.
[0023] Fig. 13 is a front view of the disposable medical gown of
Fig.
12 having the releasably engageable strap coupled to the disposable medical
gown.
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[00241 rig. 14 is the disposable medical gown of Fig. 8
folded/rolled
for disposal,
[0025] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in
the
art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific
components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in
the
art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may
be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to
limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known
processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not
described in detail.
[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As
used
herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The
terms
"comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,
elements,
and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more
other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups
thereof, The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not
to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular
order
discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of
performance.
It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be
employed.
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[00291 When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged
to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be
directly
on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or
intervening
elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to
as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or
"directly
coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or
layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements
should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly
between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term
"and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items.
[00301 Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein
to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,
these
elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by
these terms_ These terms may be only used to distinguish one element,
component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section.
Terms
such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not
imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a
first
element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a
second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the
teachings of the example embodiments_
[0031] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath,"
"below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease
of
description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another
element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative
terms may
be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or
operation
in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the
device in
the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other
elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of
above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or
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at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein
interpreted
accordingly.
[0032] Example embodiments of gowns are provided herein, where the
gowns may be used, for example, in medical settings, etc. And, as will be
apparent, the teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a wide
variety of gowns (e_g., disposable gowns, full coverage gowns, over-the-head
gowns, etc.). Further, example embodiments of the gowns can be worn by users
without tying straps, etc. And still further, example embodiments of the gowns
can be easily disposed following removal from users.
[0033] A disposable medical gown according to one example
embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in Figs. 1-7 and indicated
generally by reference number 100. The disposable medical gown 100 includes
a front portion 102, at least one arm portion coupled to and extending from
the
front portion 102, at least one side portion coupled to the front portion 102,
and a
releasably engageable strap 112 coupled to the at least one side portion. The
front portion 102 and the at least one side portion is configured to define a
cavity
portion of the disposable medical gown 100. The releasably engageable strap
112 is configured to extend about the at least one side portion and couple to
the
front portion 102 without tying (e.g., to close the gown 100 without tying
when the
gown 100 is worn by a user, etc.). In other example embodiments, gowns can
include straps coupled to portions of the gowns other than side portions
and/or
straps configured to couple to portions of the gowns other than front
portions.
[0034] In the examples of Figs. 1-7, the at least one arm portion
includes two arm portions 108, 110 and the at least one side portion includes
two
side portions 104, 106. Each arm portion 108, 110 and each side portion 104,
106extends from an opposing side edge of the front portion 102.
[0035] The arm portions 108, 110 (e.g., sleeves, etc.) are configured
to
receive a user's arm. Each arm portion 108, 110 includes openings 114a, 114b,
116a, 116b. Each opening is configured to receive one or more fingers of the
user of the disposable medical gown 100 when worn by the user.For example,
the openings 114a, 114b are configured for one of the user's fingers (e.g.,
the
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user's thumb, etc.) and the openings 116a, 116b are configured for the user's
remaining fingers.
[0036] As shown in Figs. 1-6, the openings 114a, 116a and the
openings 114b, 116b eachdefine a strap 118a, 118b which engages each hand
of the user in the area between one of the user's fingers (e.g., the user's
thumb,
etc.) and the user's remaining fingers when the gown 100 is worn by the user_
The openings 114a, 114b, 116a, 116b and the straps 118a, 118b give the arm
portions 108, 110 a glove-like quality and operate to prevent thearm portions
108, 110 from creeping up the arm of the user. Such features not only operate
to
make the disposable medical gown 100 more pleasant to wear, but help reduce
the spreading of germs, viruses, and the like, by providing substantially
complete
arm coverage.
[0037] The arm portions 108, 110 may further include elastic strips
120, 122 extending along the arm portions 108, 110. The elastic strips 120,
122
are configured to restrict excess material of the arm portions 108, 110. The
elastic strips 120, 122 may also prevent the arm portions 108, 110 from
creeping
up the arm or getting in the way of the user during use of the disposable
medical
gown 100.
[0038] As shown in Figs. 1-6, the elastic strip 120 is positioned
proximate the user's wrist (when the disposable medical gown 100 is worn)
while
the elastic strip 122 extends along a length of the arm portions 108, 110. The
elastic strips120, 122 may be positioned into the arm portions 108, 110,
coupled
to the arm portions 108, 110, or otherwise included as part of the gown
100during manufacturing or alternatively, after manufacturing. Further the
elastic
strips 120, 122 may be positioned into, coupled to, etc. the arm portions 108,
110
using aheat sealing process, stitching, adhesive, etc.
[0039] As shown Fig. 1, the front portion 102 and the arm portions 108,
110 may include impervious pads 124, 126 configured to protect the user from
fluids, liquids, etc. that may be present, or may become present in an
infection
control environment.The impervious pads 124, 126 may be any suitable size and
attached to the disposable medical gown 100in any suitable orientation.
Further,
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the impervious pads 124, 126 may be attached to the disposable medical gown
100 in any suitable manner, including heatsealing processes, stitching,
adhesive,
etc.
[0040] As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, in the illustrated embodiment a
first end of the releasably engageable strap 112 is coupled to the side
portion
106 (although it could be coupled to, formed with, etc. other portions of the
gown
as desired). In some embodiments (and as further explained below), the first
end
of the releasably engageable strap 112 may be detachably coupled to the side
portion 106. The releasably engageable strap 112 may be coupled (or
detachably coupled) to the side portion 106 in any suitable manner, including
by
a perforated material, a weak seam, a heat seal, stitches, an adhesive, a
lightweight elastic band, etc.
[0041] Further, in the example embodiment of Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the
releasably engageable strap 112 is releasably coupled to the arm portion 110.
This allows the releasably engageable strap 112 to have a proximate
relationship
with the arm portion 110 and in turn canprovide a user greater ease when
securing the disposable medical gown 100 to oneself.
[0042] The releasably engageable strap 112 may be coupled to the
arm portion 110 via a feeble joint. For example, the feeble joint may include
a
perforated material, a weak seam, a heat seal, stitches, an adhesive, a
lightweight elastic band, etc. This allows a user to apply a force to the
feeble
joint to release the strap 112 from the arm portion 110 when desired to secure
the gown 100 on the user (e.g., releasably couple the strap to the gown
without
tying the strap 112 to thereby secure the gown 100 on the user, etc.).
[0043] In other embodiments, the releasably engageable strap 112 is
not coupled to the arm portion 110_ Thus, this allows the releasably
engageable
strap 112 to hang from the side portion 106 of the gown 100, or any other
desired
portion of the gown 100.
[0044] In still other embodiments, the releasably engagement strap 112
may be coupled to other portions of the gown (e.g., a side portion 104, 106,
etc.)
via a feeble joint.
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[0045] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment the
releasably engageable strap 112 extends about the side portions 104, 106 and
couples to the front portion 102 when the gown 100 is closed and worn by a
user.
In particular, a second end (opposing the first end) of the releasably
engageable
strap 112 is coupled to the front portion 102 of the gown 100 without tying
any
portion of the strap 112. The releasably engageable strap 112 may couple to
the
front portion 102 in any suitable manner, including by a heat seal, an
adhesive, a
pin (e.g., a safety pin), etc. In the example embodiment cif Fig. 6, the
releasably
engageable strap 112 is coupled to the front portion 102 via an adhesive
portion
128. The adhesive portion 128 may include, for example, tape (e.g., one-sided
tape, two-sided tape, etc.), glue, VELCRO, epoxy resin, bonding agent,
pressure
sensitive adhesive, etc.
[0046] The releasably engageable strap 112 may include the adhesive
portion 128. For example, the adhesive portion 128 may bepermanently coupled
to the releasably engageable strap 112. In other embodiments, the adhesive
portion 128 may be a removable/replaceable adhesive that is coupled to the
releasably engageable strap 112. This allows a user to remove the adhesive
portion 128 from the strap 112 and then recouple the adhesive portion 128 to
the
strap 112 in any desirable location. As can be seen, such a fastening system
of
the strap 112 allows the strap 112 to hold the gown 100 closed around a user
and also allows the gown 100 to be worn by various different sizes of users.
[0047] As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment
the adhesive portion 128 is coupled to a back (or rear) portion of the
releasably
engageable strap 112. Alternatively, the adhesive portion 128 may be coupled
to
a front portion of the releasably engageable strap 112. Further, the adhesive
portion 128 may be positioned within the releasably engageable strap 112, thus
exposing the adhesive portion 128 to the back portion and the front portion of
the
releasably engageable strap 112. This allows a user to access the adhesive
portion 128 from the back portion or the front portion of the releasably
engageable strap 112.
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[0048] As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6, 6 and 7 the front portion 102 may
include an adhesive portion 130 configured to secure the disposable medical
gown 100 in a folded position, rolled up position, enclosed position, etc,Fig.
7
illustrates the secured gown 100 in the folded position, rolled up position,
enclosed position. The adhesive potion 130 may include, for example, tape
(e.g.,
one-sided tape, two-sided tape, etc.), glue, epoxy resin, bonding agent,
pressure
sensitive adhesive, VELCRO, etc_ In other example embodiments, gowns may
include other feature(s) to help secure the gown in a rolled up position such
as,
for example, heat seals, pins (e.g., safety pins), other mechanical fasteners,
etc
[0049] The adhesive portion 130 may be permanently coupled to the
front portion 102. In other embodiments, the adhesive portion 130 may be a
removable/replaceable adhesive that is coupled to the front portion 102_ This
allows a user to remove the adhesive from the front portion 102 and then
recouple the adhesive portion 130 to the front portion 102 in any desirable
location.
[0050] The adhesive portion 130 may be coupled to an interior portion
of the front portion 102 or to an exterior portion of the front portion 102.
Further,
the adhesive portion 130 may be positioned within the front portion 102, thus
exposing the adhesive portion 130 to the interior portion and the exterior
portion
of the front portion 102. This allows a user to access the adhesive portion
130
from the interior portion or the exterior portion of the front portion 102.
[0051] The disposable medical gown 100 may include one or more
perforations located as desired around the gown 100. The perforations may
extend through the material from which the gown is fabricated. As further
explained below, the perforations are useful in removal of the gown 100.
[0052] As shown in Figs. 2-5, the arm portions 108, 110 may be
coupled to an upper rear portion 136 via perforations 134 to allow a user to
rip
the gown material when removing the gown 100 (e.g., and pull the gown forward,
etc.). The length of the perforations 134 may extend less or more than about
six
inches. In another embodiment, the perforations 134 may extend about three
inches in length_ In other embodiments, the perforations 134 may extend any
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suitable distance to allow a user to rip the gown material at the perforations
134
when removing the gown 100. In still other embodiments, gowns may include
fasteners in place of upper rear portions to form neck openings in the gowns,
where the fasters are configured to break away from the gowns when desired to
remove the gowns from users.
[0053] Further, as shown Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the releasably engageable
strap 112 of the illustrated embodiment may be coupled to the side portion 106
via perforations 132 to allow a user to rip the gown material when removing
the
gown 100. Thus, the releasably engageable strap 112 may be detachably
coupled to the side portion 106. The length of the perforations 132 may extend
less or more than about three inches. In another embodiment, the perforations
132 may extend about 2 inches in length. In other embodiments, the
perforations
132 may extend any suitable distance to allow a user to rip the gown material
at
the perforations 132 when removing the gown 100. Alternatively, the releasably
engageable strap 112 may be detachably coupled to the side portion 106 by a
weak seam, a heat seal, an adhesive, etc.
[0054] The disposable medical gown 100 may be an over the head
disposable medical gown. For example, as shown in Figs. 1-6, the front portion
102, the upper rear portion 136 and the arm portions 108, 110 define an
opening
138 configured to receive a user's head. The opening 138 may be substantially
circular, substantially oval shaped or any other suitable shape to receive a
user's
head. Further, the opening 138 may be entirely enclosed, substantially
enclosed,
partially enclosed, etc.
[0055] Further, the illustrated disposable medical gown 100 is a
partial
coverage disposable medical gown. That is, when in use, the gown 100 does not
extend entirely around the backside of a user_ For example, as shown in Fig.
5,
the side portions 104, 106 extend about the backside of the user. However, the
side portions 104, 106 do not touch, overlap, etc,
[0056] Figs. 8-14 illustrate another example embodiment of a
disposable medical gown 200. The disposable medical gown 200 includes a
front portion 202, two arm portions 208, 210 coupled to and extending from the
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front portion 202, two side portions 204, 206 coupled to the front portion
202,
upper rear portions 236a, b, and a first end of a releasably engageable strap
212
coupled to the front portion 202 (although it could be coupled to any other
desired portion of the gown 200 within the scope of the present disclosure).
The
front portion 202 and the side portions 204, 206 are configured to define a
cavity
portion of the disposable medical gown 200 for a user.
[0057] Similar to the disposable medical gown 100, the disposable
medical gown 200 may be an over the head disposable medical gown. For
example, as shown in Figs_ 7-13, the front portion 202, the arm portions 208,
210, the side portions 204, 206 and the upper rear portions 236a, b, define an
opening 238 configured to receive a user's head. The opening 238 may be
substantially circular, substantially oval shaped or any other suitable shape
to
receive a user's head. Further, the opening 238 may be entirely enclosed,
substantially enclosed, partially enclosed, etc
[0058] Further, the illustrated disposable medical gown 200 is a full
coverage disposable medical gown. That is, when in use, the gown 200 extends
substantially entirely around the backside of a user substantially enclosing
the
cavity portion of the disposable medical gown 200. For example, as shown in
Figs. 11 and 12, the side portions 204, 206 may extend substantially entirely
about the backside of the user. Thus, the side portions 204, 206 may touch,
overlap, form a seam, etc. to provide the full coverage for the user of the
gown
200.
[0059] In the example embodiment illustrated in Figs. 9-12, an edge of
the side portion 204 and edge of the side portion 206 are coupled to form a
seam
240, thus entirely enclosing the cavity portion of the disposable medical gown
200 around a user. Alternatively, the disposable medical gown 200 may extend
substantially entirely around the backside of the user, substantially around
the
sides of the user, etc. Further, in other example embodiments, edges of side
portions of gowns may wrap around and overlap when the gowns are worn by
users.
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[0060] Further, the illustrated disposable medical gown 200 may
include one or more perforations. The perforations may extend through the
material from which the gown is fabricated. As further explained below, the
perforations are usefulin removal of the gown 200. The perforations may be
positioned at any suitable location including, for example, along the seam 240
and between the arm portions 208, 210, side portions 204, 206 and/or front
portion 202, etc. Alternatively, the disposable medical gown 200 may include
any suitable feature to assist in removal of the gown 200, including a weak
seam,
a heat seal, an adhesive, detachable fasteners, breakaway fasteners, etc.
[0061] In the example embodiment illustrated in Figs. 9-12, the arm
portions 208, 210 and/or the side portions 204, 206 may be coupled to the
upper
rear portions 236a, b via perforations 234 to allow a user to rip the gown
material
when removing the gown 200. The length of the perforations 234 may extend
less or more than about six inches. In another embodiment, the perforations
234
may extend about three inches in length. In other embodiments, the
perforations
234 may extend any suitable distance to allow a user to rip the gown material
at
the perforations 234 when removing the gown 200.
[0062] As shown in Figs, 8 and 13, the first end of the releasably
engageable strap 212 is coupled to the front portion 202 (although it could be
coupled to another portion of the gown 200 as desired). In some embodiments,
the first end of the releasably engageable strap 212 may be detachably coupled
to the front portion 202. The releasably engageable strap 212 may be coupled
(or detachably coupled) to the front portion 202 in any suitable manner,
including
by a perforated material, a weak seam, a heat seal, stitches, an adhesive, a
lightweight elastic band, etc.
[0063] Further, the releasably engageable strap 212 may be coupled to
the front portion 210 for a desired distance. For example, as shown in Fig. 8,
the
releasably engageable strap 212 is coupled to the front portion 202 from a
center
of the front portion 202 to an edge of the front portion 202 (e.g,, adjacent
to the
side portion 206, etc.). This feature causes the releasably engageable strap
212
to maintain a substantially horizontal direction about the front portion 202.
This
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provides a user greater ease when securing the disposable medical gown 200 to
oneself.
[0064] Alternatively, the releasably engageable strap 212 may be
coupled to the gown 200 at any suitable location, including only at the center
of
the front portion 202, only at the edge of the front portion 202 (e.g_,
adjacent to
the side portion 206), on the side portions 204, 206, etc.
[0065] As shown in Figs_ 12 and 13, the releasably engageable strap
212 extends about the side portions 204, 206 and couples, without tying, to
the
front portion 202 when used to secure the gown 200 around a user (although the
strap 212 may be coupled to another portion of the gown 200, other than the
front portion 202, to secure the gown 200 around a user as desired). In
particular, a second end (opposing the first end) of the releasably engageable
strap 212 in the illustrated ernbodimentis coupled to the front portion 202
without
tying the strap 212. The releasably engageable strap 212 may couple to the
front portion 202 in any suitable manner including by a heat seal, an
adhesive, a
pin (e.g., a safety pin), etc. In the example of Fig. 13, the releasably
engageable
strap 212 is coupled to the front portion 202 via the adhesive portion 128 (as
previously described).
[0066] Each arm portion 208, 210 (e.g., sleeves) may include the
elastic strip 120, the elastic strip 122, the impervious pad 126, openings
114a,
114b, 116a, 116b and straps 118a, 118b as described above with reference to
Figs. 1-7. Further, the front portion 202 may include the impervious pad 124
and
the adhesive 130 as described above with reference to Figs. 1-7. In addition,
as
shown in Fig. 14, the adhesive 130 (as described with reference to Figs. 1-7)
may also be employed to secure the gown 200 in the folded position, rolled up
position, enclosed position, etc. upon removal from a user.
[0067] The disposable medical gowns (e.g., gown 100, 200) described
herein may be secured on a user without the need for tying the straps (e.g.,
straps 112, 212, etc.) of the gown_ This can make securing the gowns around
the users easier, and can help inhibit possible contamination of the users
and/or
gowns when securing them.
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[0068] For example, to wear an example gown (e.g., gown 100, 200,
etc.) of the present disclosure, the user inserts his/her head within the
opening
(e.g., the opening 138, 238, etc.) and his/her arms into the arm portions
(e.g., the
arm portions 108, 110, 208, 210). The user may utilize the openings (e.g., the
openings 114a, 114b, 116a, 116b) of the arm portions by inserting his/her
fingers
in the openings if desired.
[0069] Then the user extends one of his/her arms (within the arm
portion) around one of the side portions (e.g., side portions 104, 106, 204,
206)
to a rear portion of the gown. The user then may extend the other of his/her
arms (within the arm portion) around the other one of the side portions to the
rear
of the gown. This allows the side portions of the gown to extend about and
substantially cover the rear portion of the user.
[0070] The user then may position the releasably engageable strap
(e.g., the releasably engageable straps 112, 212) about the side portions of
the
gown to position the gown around the user. Depending on the gown design, the
first end of the releasably engageable strap may be coupled to a front portion
of
the gown, a side portion of the gown, etc. For example, the user may extend
the
releasably engageable strap with one arm to a rear portion of the gown and
then
extend the releasably engageable strap with the other arm to a front portion
(e.g.,
the front portion 102, 202) of the gown. Thus, in some embodiments, the
releasably engageable strap may extend entirely around the rear portion of the
user
[0071] The user then may couple the second end (opposing the first
end) of the releasably engageable strap to any desired portion of the gown so
that the gown fits comfortably around the user (e.g., the front portion of the
gown,
etc.). Alternatively, and depending on the user, the second end of the
releasably
engageable strap may couple to one of the side portions of the gown, the rear
portion of the gown, etc. (again, depending on the size of the user and so
that the
gown comfortably fits around the user).
CA 02817489 2013-05-31
[0072] The second end of the releasably engageable strap may couple
to the front portion via an adhesive portion (e.g., the adhesive portion 128)
or by
any other suitable means (e.g., any of the means discussed herein, etc.).
[0073] By employing the releasably engageable strap, the user may
secure the gown to oneself with ease, without assistance from other
individuals,
without tying the strap, etc. This is essential if the user has already
scrubbed,
disinfected, etc. oneself and the gown is sterile. Accordingly, by securing
the
gown by oneself, the spread of germs, bacterial, etc between the user and the
other individuals is reduced.
[0074] In addition, the disposable medical gowns (e.g, the gowns 100,
200) described herein may be disposed (e.g., removed) from a user. The user
may apply a force to the disposable medical gown to tear, rip, disengage, etc.
one or more portions of the disposable medical gown. For example, the force
may be applied adjacent a portion of the gown that may include a feeble area.
The feeble area may include one or more perforated portions, a weak seam, a
heat seal, an adhesive, stitches, a lightweight elastic band, etc. By applying
force to the feeble area, the user is able to remove the gown without
forcefully
pulling, shaking, etc. the gown. Thus, less germs, bacterial, etc. are
extracted
from the gown, and injuries to users may be avoided.
[0075] After removing the gown, the user then may roil, fold, etc. the
gown upon itself. This ensures germs, bacterial, etc. are maintained within
the
rolled, folded, etc. gown.
[0076] The rolled, folded, etc. gown may then be secured in this
position to ensure the germs, the bacterial, etc. are maintained after the
gown is
rolled, folded, etc. For example, the gown may be secured in this position by
an
adhesive portion (e.g., the adhesive portion 130) or any other suitable means
(e.g., any of the means discussed herein, etc.). If an adhesive portion is
employed, a two-sided tape may be coupled on one side to the front portion
(e.g.,
the front portions 102, 202) of the gown prior to removal of the gown and
coupled
on another side to the rolled, folded, etc. gown after removal of the gown. In
the
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example of Figs. 7 and 14, the gowns 100, 200, respectively, are rolled,
folded,
etc. and secured by the adhesive portion 130.
[0077] By having the gown in the rolled, folded, etc. upon itself and
then secured in this position, the user may dispose of the gown in a safe
manner
without the threat of spreading germs, bacterial, etc. For example, the user
may
dispose of the gown in a disposable gown system. The disposable gown system
may include a container having a lid. The user may open the lid and insert the
rolled, folded, etc. gown into the container. After insertion, the disposable
gown
system may individually seal each rolled, folded, etc. gown in a film, bag,
etc. to
ensure the germs, the bacterial, etc. are maintained. Alternatively, the
disposable gown system may seal more than one rolled, folded, etc. gown in a
film, bag, etc. to ensure the germs, the bacterial, etc. are maintained.
[0078] The disposable medical gowns (e.g., the gowns 100, 200)
disclosed herein may be folded and placed into a disposable gown dispensing
system. Example configurations and embodiments of gown folding methods and
of disposable gown dispensing systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application
Serial No. 13/660,787 (filed on October 25, 2012). Further, the disposable
gown
dispensing system may be attached to a personal protection equipment (PPE)
dispenser_ Example configurations and further embodiments of PPE dispensers
are disclosed in U.S. Patent Number 7,246,710 and U.S. Publication Number
2011/0279001.
[0079] Further, the disposable medical gowns disclosed herein may be
made from any suitable thermoplastic polymer, including polypropylene,
polypropylene with a polyethylene coating, etc. In other embodiments, the
disposable medical gowns may utilize spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS)
materials.
[0080] Additionally, the disposable medical gowns disclosed herein
may be formed monolithically with a front portion (e.g., the front portions
102,
202), at least one side portion (e.g., the side portions 104, 106, 204, 206),
at
least one arm portion (e.g., the arm portions 108, 110, 208, 210) and a
releasably engageable strap (e.g., the straps 112, 212). Alternatively, some
or
17
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all portions (including the releasably engageable strap) of the disposable
medical
gown may be formed individually and coupled together to form the disposable
medical gown. The portions may be coupled together in any suitable manner,
including by a perforated material, a weak seam, a heat seal, an adhesive,
stitches, a lightweight elastic band, etc.
[0081] In addition, the disposable medical gowns disclosed herein,
including the front portions, the side portions, the arm portions and the
releasably
engageable straps, may be any suitable size, dimension, length, etc.
[0082] Further, the disposable medical gowns disclosed herein may
include the characteristics, features and/or configurations as disclosed in
U.S.
7,971,274, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0083] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to
be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a
particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment,
but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected
embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be
varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from
the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within
the
scope of the disclosure.
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