Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gown comprising a non-woven fabric having a front portion, a rear portion, a lower edge, and a head insertion aperture defined between the front portion and the rear portion; an opening, the opening defined in the rear portion, said opening formed at the lower edge and extending towards the head insertion aperture, configured to assist a wearer in donning the gown; and a bridge extending across the rear portion between the opening and head insertion aperture; the bridge serving to tear and split the rear portion when the front portion is pulled away by the wearer. The bridge is free from any aids to tearing and the bridge and the opening form the sole mechanisms for tearing the gown. A method of wearing and removing a gown is also provided.

Abstract: A garment or accessory is provided having an elasticized portion, said elasticized portion being free of stitches or holes. The elasticized portion comprises a fabric portion of the accessory or garment to be elasticized; and a length of elastic element. The length of elastic element is applied to the fabric by a means selected from the group consisting of direct welding and indirect welding. A method is provided for elasticizing a fabric, said elasticized fabric being free of stitches or holes. The method involves providing a stack of fabric to be elasticized; stretching and positioning a length of elastic element against a first of the fabric in the stack; applying one or more ends of the elastic element to the fabric by a means selected from directly welding and indirectly welding; moving the first fabric to expose the next fabric in the stack to be elasticized; and repeating the steps for the next fabric.

Abstract: A gown is provided including non-woven fabric having a front portion, a rear portion, said rear portion ending in a lower edge, and a head insertion aperture that is between the front portion and the rear portion. The gown includes an opening in the rear portion; this opening is formed at the lower edge and extends upwards towards the head insertion aperture, and is configured to assist the wearing in donning the gown. There is a bridge extending across the rear portion at least partially between the opening and the head insertion aperture. This bridge is configured to tear and split the rear portion when the front portion is pulled away from the wearer.

Abstract: A garment or accessory is provided having an elasticized portion, said elasticized portion being free of stitches or holes. The elasticized portion comprises a fabric portion of the accessory or garment to be elasticized; and a length of elastic element. The length of elastic element is applied to the fabric by a means selected from the group consisting of direct welding and indirect welding. A method is provided for elasticizing a fabric, said elasticized fabric being free of stitches or holes. The method involves providing a stack of fabric to be elasticized; stretching and positioning a length of elastic element against a first of the fabric in the stack; applying one or more ends of the elastic element to the fabric by a means selected from directly welding and indirectly welding; moving the first fabric to expose the next fabric in the stack to be elasticized; and repeating the steps for the next fabric.