Gown Up

Abstract

An architecture is presented that provides a combination gown and glove garment designed primarily for use in hospital and healthcare settings. The garment comprises an apron comprising a first end and a second end, and at least one sleeve secured to the first end of the apron. The at least one sleeve can also comprise a glove secured to an end of the sleeve as an integral unit. The glove comprises a wrist gather for retaining the glove on a hand of the user. Furthermore, the garment comprises a neck tie and/or a waist tie for securing the garment to a user. Multiple compressed garments are then removably secured together into one unit. The multiple compressed garments are secured via a tear-away edge at the top of the unit, such that users can rapidly don the garment in one fluid motion, tearing it away from the unit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/454,017 filed Mar. 18, 2011.

BACKGROUND

Current medical-grade gowns used at hospitals and/or doctors' offices, whether the medical gowns are disposable or laundered gowns, require the appropriate medical personnel to put on the gown and then also to put on the gloves which are separate from the gown. These medical gowns are typically used to avoid contamination by the wearer and to prevent transmission to other patients or personnel. It can take several minutes to suit up, no matter the length of the patient interaction. Furthermore, after medical personnel visit patients, they must change out of the gloves and medical gown before the next patient interaction. This process continues until all of the patients are seen. Thus, this is a very time consuming and inconvenient process for the caregiver, and further increases the wait time that individuals currently experience at hospitals, doctors' offices, and other medical facilities. Furthermore, the separate gown/glove combinations make it difficult for the wearer to remove without self-contamination in either sequence of gown or glove removal. This is particularly true with laundered gowns, which cannot be torn away from the wearer to be removed.

Additionally, medical gowns are often stored in rolling cabinets, which are typically left in the halls in front of patients' rooms. The cabinets can be a fire hazard and can have additional costs associated with their acquisition and use. Further, large trash cans are typically used to dispose of currently used disposable medical gowns, which can cause the same costs and fire hazard complications. For laundered gowns, significant expenses are incurred in cleaning and/or sterilizing the gowns due to the amount of detergent, water, electricity, and personnel required to complete this task. Also, the repeated washing/sterilizing of the gowns causes the same to deteriorate which, in turn, leads to the need to replace the gown which can be expensive. Consequently, an effective solution is necessary.

There is a need for an improved medical-grade gown that medical personnel can rapidly put on and take off with little or no third party assistance, and that can be stored out of the way until needed. The present invention discloses a medical-grade gown that is a unitary gown and glove combination garment, and also discloses a method of utilizing such a garment. A plurality of the gown and glove combination garments are then compressed into one unit and the unit is secured to a wall or other similar place. To use the gown and glove combination garment, a user simply inserts his or her arms into the sleeve openings and pulls the single gown away from the unit. Thus, individuals can rapidly don the combination gown and gloves garment in one fluid motion, tearing it away from the unit and dramatically reducing the time it takes to suit up for brief patient interactions and eliminating or significantly reducing the possibility of contamination. Anyone that works in a hospital, doctor's office, or other medical facility will appreciate the convenience and practicality that this invention affords.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a combination gown and glove garment designed primarily for use in hospital and healthcare settings. The garment comprises an apron comprising a first end and a second end, and at least one sleeve secured to the first end of the apron. In use, a user would grasp a sleeve opening to open the sleeve and would insert his or her arm(s) into the sleeve(s). The at least one sleeve can also comprise a glove secured to an end of the sleeve as an integral unit. The glove comprises a wrist gather for retaining the glove on a hand of the user.

Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the garment comprises an optional neck tie for securing the garment around the neck of a user. The neck tie is secured to the neck or first end of the apron. Furthermore the garment comprises an optional waist tie for securing the garment around the waist of a user. The waist tie is secured to a right and left sides of the apron. Multiple compressed garments are then removably secured together into one unit. The multiple compressed garments are secured via a tear-away edge at the top of the unit, such that users can rapidly don the garment in one fluid motion, tearing it away from the unit.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a combination gown and glove garment in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a combination gown and glove garment folded up in a compressed unit in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a unit of multiple compressed combination gown and glove garments in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a methodology of utilizing a unit of compressed garments in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

The present invention discloses a medical-grade gown that is a unitary gown and glove combination garment, and also discloses a method of utilizing such a garment. The garment is comprised of an apron with a neck area and one or more sleeves, and could further comprise a glove attached to one or more of said sleeves. The garment can be manufactured in various sizes or can be produced as a one-size-fits-all garment. Multiple garments are compressed into one unit and the unit is secured to a wall by means commonly known in the art. A user inserts his or her arms into the sleeve openings and tears the gown away from the unit. Thus, individuals can rapidly don the combination gown and gloves garment in one fluid motion, tearing it away from the pack and dramatically reducing the time it takes to suit up for brief patient interactions and eliminating the possibility of contamination.

The combination garment is primarily intended for use in hospitals and healthcare settings where contact isolation is required by staff, physicians, family members and loved ones interacting with a patient. However, it can also be used in the food industry or other industries in which a simple body and hand barrier is necessary.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a combination gown and glove garment 100 designed primarily for use in hospital and healthcare settings. The garment 100 comprises an apron 102 comprising a first end 104 and a second end 106. Typically, the apron 102 is rectangular shaped, however any other suitable shape can be used as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The apron 102 can also be shaped to be narrower on the first end 104 such that the apron 102 forms a neck or chest piece without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The chest piece would be of variable size and shape depending on the needs and sizes of the users. Additionally, the first end 104 forms the neckline of the garment 100 and can be either a crew neckline or a “V-neck-shaped” neckline, or any other suitable neckline shapes as is known in the art. The apron 102 would generally be constructed of sheer plastic or cellophane, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), though any other suitable material may be used to manufacture the apron 102 as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The apron 102 is approximately between 40 and 50 inches in length as measured from tear-away edge to second end 106, approximately between 50 and 65 inches wide as measured from side to side, and approximately between 1 and 20 millimeters thick, as measured from front to back as it lays flat. Further, at the tear-away edge or neck line the apron 102 is approximately between 20 and 30 inches wide. The sleeves are between 15 and 25 inches long or between 25 and 35 inches long as measured from tear-away edge.

The garment 100 further comprises at least one sleeve 108 secured to the first end 104 of the apron 102. Additionally, the sleeve 108 can be an integral part of the apron 102, and the apron and sleeve can be manufactured as a one-piece article, without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The at least one sleeve 108 has the appearance of a typically constructed sleeve as is known in the art, and having a first end 110 and a second end 114. The second end 114 is secured to the first end 104 of the apron 102 and forms a sleeve opening 126 for a user to insert an arm. The at least one sleeve 108 can also comprise a glove 112 secured to the first end 110 of the sleeve 108 as an integral unit. The glove 112 is secured to the sleeve 108 via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as gluing, welding, stitching, etc. The glove 112 has the appearance of a typically constructed glove as is known in the art, and can also comprise a wrist gather 116 for retaining the glove 112 on a hand (not shown) of a user. The wrist gather 116 can be an elastic band or other suitable means for securing the glove to a user's hand as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. Additionally, the glove 112 can be secured to the sleeve 108 such that the thumbs of the glove 112 are oriented toward the garment 100 or away from the garment 100. Thus, a user would put on the garment 100 by placing his or her arms into the sleeves 108 with palms facing up or palms facing down depending on the orientation of the gloves 112.

Additionally, the garment 100 comprises a neck tie 118 for securing the garment 100 around the neck of a user. The neck tie 118 is secured to the neck or first end 104 of the apron 102, and can be any securing means such as tie straps, hook and loop fastener (Velcro®) straps, snaps, slip-over loop and strap, etc. as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The neck tie 118 is secured to the apron 102 via any suitable securing means as is known in the art. Furthermore the garment 100 comprises a waist tie 120 for securing the garment 100 around the waist of a user. The waist tie 120 is secured to a right 122 and left 124 sides of the apron 102, and can be any securing means such as tie straps, hook and loop fastener (Velcro®) straps, snaps, slip-over loop and strap, etc. as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The waist tie 120 is secured to the apron 102 via any suitable securing means as is known in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates the combination gown and glove garment 100 folded up in a compressed unit. The garment 100 comprises an apron 102 comprising a first end 104 and a second end 106 and at least one sleeve 108 secured to the first end 104 of the apron 102. The at least one sleeve 108 comprises a first end 110 and a second end 114. The second end 114 is secured to the first end 104 of the apron 102 and forms a sleeve opening 126 for a user to insert an arm. A user would grasp the sleeve opening 126 to open the sleeve 108 and then would insert his or her arm into the sleeve opening 126. The at least one sleeve 108 can also comprise a glove 112 secured to the first end 110 of the sleeve 108 as an integral unit. The glove 112 comprises a wrist gather 116 for retaining the glove 112 on a hand (not shown) of a user.

Additionally, the garment 100 could comprise a neck tie 118 for securing the garment 100 around the neck of a user. The neck tie 118 is secured to the neck or first end 104 of the apron 102. Furthermore, the garment 100 could also comprise a waist tie 120 for securing the garment 100 around the waist of a user. The waist tie 120 is secured to a right 122 and left 124 sides of the apron 102. Then entire garment 100 is folded up in a compressed unit that lays relatively flat. Specifically, folds 200 at the first end 104 and the second end 106 of the apron 102, and above the gloves 112 are used to ensure the garment 100 lays in a relatively flat position for storage and use. Further, the folds 200 are to allow expansion of the garment 100 when removed from storage and also to form the garment 100 into a rectangular shape for packaging into a box or other storage device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a unit 300 of multiple compressed combination gown and glove garments 100. The multiple compressed garments 100 are removably secured together at the top 302 of the unit 300. Typically, the multiple compressed garments 100 are removably secured via a tear-away edge, but the multiple compressed garments 100 can be secured via any other suitable means as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, such as adhered together, stapled, loose-leaf or in a binder, suspended from hooks, cold welded, hook and loop fastened (Velcro®), or clamped. In operation, a user (not shown) grasps the sleeve openings 126 and pulls to open the sleeves 108, then inserts his or her arms into the sleeve openings 126. The user then steps back, away from the unit 100 and applies a downward pressure to tear off the garment 100 in which the user has inserted his or her arms.

Additionally, unit 300 can be removably attached and/or mounted to a wall, doorway, a hook, etc. The unit 300 can be mounted anywhere that a user needs or desires, as long as the structure can support the weight of the unit 300. The unit 300 is typically attached via a bar clamp or holes with suspension rods. However, any other suitable means for attaching or mounting can be used without affecting the overall concept of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a methodology of utilizing a unit of compressed garments, according to various aspects of the innovation. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein (e.g., in the form of a flow chart or flow diagram) are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the innovation.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method of utilizing a unit of compressed garments is illustrated, wherein the compressed garments are a plurality of combination gown and glove garments. At 400, the unit of compressed garments is secured to a wall, a doorway, a hook, etc. At 402, a user grasps sleeve openings of one of the compressed garments to open the sleeves of the garment. At 404, a user inserts his or her arms into the sleeve openings of the compressed garment. At 406, a user inserts his or her hands into the attached gloves at an end of the sleeve openings. At 408, a user pulls the compressed garment away from the unit via a tear-away edge at the top of the unit. And at 410, a user secures the compressed garment to a user by utilizing a neck tie located around the neck opening of the compressed garment.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. A combination garment, comprising:

an apron comprising a first end and a second end; and

at least one sleeve secured to the first end of the apron, the at least one sleeve comprising a first end and a second end; and

wherein the at least one sleeve comprises a sleeve opening for inserting a user's arm; and

wherein multiple combination garments are compressed together into one unit from which a single combination garment can be removed.

2. The combination garment of claim 1, further comprising at least one glove secured to a first end of the at least one sleeve.

3. The combination garment of claim 2, wherein the at least one glove comprises a wrist gather secured to the first end of the at least one sleeve before the at least one glove.

4. The combination garment of claim 1, further comprising a neck tie located at a first end of the apron.

5. The combination garment of claim 4, wherein the neck tie comprises at least one of a strap and loop, a tie strap, or a hook and loop fastened tab.

6. The combination garment of claim 1, further comprising a waist tie located at a waist of the apron.

7. The combination garment of claim 6, wherein the waist tie comprises at least one of a strap and loop, a tie strap, or a hook and loop fastened tab.

8. The combination garment of claim 1, wherein the multiple compressed combination garments are removably secured together at top of the unit.

9. The combination garment of claim 8, wherein the multiple compressed combination garments are removably secured via a tear-away edge.

10. The combination garment of claim 9, wherein the unit is attached to at least one of a wall, a doorway, or a hook.

11. The combination garment of claim 10, wherein the unit is attached via at least one of a bar clamp or holes with suspension rods.

12. A combination gown and glove garment, comprising:

an apron comprising a first end and a second end;

at least one sleeve secured to the first end of the apron, the at least one sleeve comprising a first end and a second end; and

at least one glove secured to a first end of the at least one sleeve; and

wherein the at least one sleeve comprises a sleeve opening for inserting a user's arm; and

wherein multiple gown and glove garments are compressed together into one unit from which a single gown and glove garment can be removed.

13. The combination gown and glove garment of claim 12, wherein the multiple compressed garments are removably secured together at top of the unit.

14. The combination gown and glove garment of claim 13, wherein the multiple compressed garments are removably secured via a tear-away edge.

15. The combination gown and glove garment of claim 14, wherein the unit is attached to at least one of a wall, a doorway, or a hook.

16. The combination gown and glove garment of claim 12, further comprising a neck tie located at a first end of the apron.

17. The combination gown and glove garment of claim 16, wherein the neck tie comprises at least one of a strap and loop, a tie strap, or a hook and loop fastened tab.

18. A method of utilizing a unit of compressed garments, wherein the compressed garments are a plurality of combination gown and glove garments, comprising:

grasping a sleeve opening of one of the compressed garments to open a sleeve;

inserting a user's arms into the sleeve openings;

inserting a user's hands into a pair of gloves at an end of the sleeve openings; and

separating the compressed garment away from the unit.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the unit of compressed garments is removably attached to at least one of a wall, a doorway, or a hook.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising securing the compressed garment to a user by utilizing a neck tie located around neck opening of the compressed garment.