Abstract: A gown for use by hospital patients and the like wherein the beginning and ending end edges are located at the front and side of the patient. A separable shoulder portion is provided for that side of the gown by upper edges adjacent both end edges overlapping the upper edge of the back panel of the gown which are interconnected by releasable fastening means, e.g. material fasteners. This gown enables dressing of a patient with one arm encumbered by intravenous feeding in that the shoulder portion is separable, and it further provides for chest and stomach examination without removal of the gown. It further provides for coverage of the patients backside when venturing from the bed, all with a design that is universal to all patients and inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: A hospital garment comprises finished slits with fasteners which extend the entire length from the collar down the entire length of the sleeve to the wrist portion of the gown. This structure allows the placement and removal of intravenous apparatus as well as surgery or applying or changing bandages without the necessity of removing the gown or cutting it apart. A similar garment is provided for the lower portion of a patient's body.

Abstract: A disposable garment comprising, a gown having a front panel, a pair of back panels extending from opposed sides of the front panel, and a pair of sleeves. The sleeves are constructed of a water repellent material having nonentangled fibers, and the back panels are constructed of a porous material having entangled fibers or a nonwoven material comprising a blend of nonentangled wood pulp and polyester fibers.

Abstract: A two piece belt system for use on a back closure surgical gown has a lefthand belt section with one end fixed to the gown front at about waist level. The lefthand belt section is removably retained in a tunnel-like pouch attached to the front of the gown. The righthand belt section is attached to the outer edge of the right rear flap of the gown at about waist level; its free end is releasably attached to a card-like transfer device. The transfer device is removably retained in the pouch.

Abstract: A surgical gown sleeve has a polymeric material as an outer surface layer of at least a portion of the sleeve. A collar of material is attached to the lower forearm region of the sleeve and overlies a portion of the sleeve. The collar prevents roll-down of the cuff of a surgical glove which is pulled over it.

Abstract: A back opening gown is disclosed in which the wearer can achieve a sterile back without assistance. The gown comprises a body portion having a front and a back with the back having a first and second panel and wherein the first panel has a flap running lengthwise of the gown. Prior to closure, the flap is folded back over the first panel and preferably releasably secured thereto. After any initial securing of the gown has been completed, e.g., snapped at the neck, an assistant secures the free end of a first belt tie attached to the flap to the rearward end of a belt disposed in a protective belt cover or housing. The wearer then pulls on the forward end of said belt, thereby releasing the flap and covering the non-sterile portions of the back of the gown and pulling the first belt tie and the rearward end of the belt under the belt cover or housing. The forward end of the belt is then secured to a second belt tie on the front portion of the gown. In the manner described, a sterile back is achieved.

Abstract: A robe adapted for use by incontinent individuals having a front panel extending continuously from the neck downward to about the feet of the wearer and extending across the front of the body of the wearer; upper rear panel forming sections from either edge of the front panel around the sides and across the back of the wearer to the middle of the back, and including means for securing together the upper sections; sleeves having first ends secured between the front panel and the upper rear panel-forming sections with longitudinal openings extending throughout the length thereof and being shaped to cover at least the shoulders of the wearer; lower rear panel forming sections extending from either edge of the lower part of the front panel, the lower sections being adapted for wrapping around the legs of the wearer; and, the upper and the lower sections being spaced apart along the edges of the front panel such that the upper and lower rear panel forming sections separate when worn in a sitting position so as not

Abstract: A basic garment suitable for use as a medical examination gown or for other purposes calling for apparel which may be quickly opened to fully expose the body of the wearer. The garment is fabricated from a single blank of non-woven polyester sheet material contoured to define front and rear sections having complementary sleeve portions, with a transverse fold line therebetween in the center of which is a neck opening. The front section is slit into a pair of panels that separate at the neck opening whereby when the front section is folded over the rear section and the two sections are ultrasonically seamed together at their opposing side margins, a garment is created having the desired characteristics. The front panels are releasably held together by hook and loop nylon fabric fasteners whose male components are ultrasonically-bonded to the margin of one panel and whose female components are ultrasonically-bonded to the margin of the other panel.

Abstract: A belt retainer for securing the belt of a disposable sterile operating room gown comprises a generally rectangular strip of semi-rigid deformable material having a continuous belt retaining and locking cutout slot therein. The cutout slot defines a central upwardly extending tab, a narrow downwardly extending tab extension connected to the central tab adjacent one side edge of the central tab, and a side downwardly extending tab positioned adjacent the opposite side edge of the central tab.

Abstract: A garment including a modesty panel is described which is designed for patients of hospitals or nursing homes. The garment comprises first and second garment portions which have upper and lower ends and inner and outer side edges. The first and second garment portions are joined at their upper inner side edges to form a body portion which may be wrapped around the person to cover the lower abdomen, thighs and buttocks of the person. The lower ends of the first and second garment portions have ankle receiving portions adapted to receive the ankles of the person. The garment portions have a width sufficient, between the body portion and the ankle receiving portions, to enable the first and second garment portions to be wrapped around the person's legs. A foldable modesty panel is provided at the juncture of the upper inner side edges of the garment portions. The modesty panel extends downwardly from the body portion and covers the person's genital area whether the person is standing, sitting or reclining.

Abstract: A method and garment is provided for maintaining the body temperature of a patient undergoing surgery in an operating room where the ambient temperature is normally below the normal body temperature. The garment is constructed of cut segments of stretchable circular knit seamless fabric and includes arm and leg portions which extend beyond the length of the corresponding hands and feet of the patient. The cut segments are oriented so that the free open ends of the components of the garment are formed by the ends of the cut segments which will not ravel and it is not necessary to seam or hem the free open ends. The garment is constructed in an economical manner so that the garment may be disposed of after the surgical procedure is completed and the stretchable knit fabric provides a snug fit on a wide range of body sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A belt package for a surgical gown is disclosed in which a belt is fan-folded within a tubular belt support and one belt end is folded over and temporarily attached to the front of the belt support. The folded over belt end includes a line of weakness situated a short distance from the tip of the belt end to form a detachable portion useful in insuring sterility. The belt end is folded over by first folding the detachable portion against the rest of the belt end at a point on the belt near the weakened line but between the line and the point of exit of belt from the belt support. The detachable portion is then folded against the belt support face by a fold in the belt near the point of exit from the belt support. The end is temporarily attached to the belt support at point between the line of weakness and the first fold.

Abstract: A hospital patient gown in which a front panel is joined to two rear panels to form a garment having an elongated vertical opening at the back. One of the rear panels is vertically pleated with a reverse pleat and draped across the rear opening when the rear panels are fastened together at the top of the gown.

Abstract: Provided is a garment adapted for wear by physically handicapped persons who are incapable of executing normal dressing movements. The garment comprises a front panel applicable to the front of the handicapped person's torso and a rear panel applicable to the back of said person's torso. The front and rear panels each have opposed side edge margins and fastening means distributed thereon for simultaneously assembling and securing the garment to the wearer's torso by interconnecting the front and rear panel along their opposing edge margins in torso supported relation in the worn condition of the garment, without the necessity of normal dressing movement.

Abstract: A back opening surgical gown with a belting system with improved gown attachment structure which reduces chance of damaging the sterile barrier provided by the gown and improves donning technique.

Abstract: A patient's hospital gown having two flaps formed thereon, one of which is adapted to overlap the other and to be wrapped around the body of the patient for attachment to the other of the flaps. The flaps of the hospital gown may be secured to one another by any suitable means, such as straps or release fasteners.

Abstract: A surgical gown includes three arm holes, two of which have long covered sleeves. The third arm hole is a large opening in an extended side panel having a shoulder band along one edge to permit the length of the upper arm between the shoulder and elbow to pass through. A pull tab or donning tab is secured to the band, and is intended to be manipulated by an assistant during the donning of the gown. In the closed position, the extended panel completely covers the back and overlaps the other side and a front portion of the gown, with the band secured around the shoulder and sleeve. The front panel and lower sleeves are formed of material having a low bacteria and fluid permeability to avoid possible contamination. The pull tab may include a test pattern which serves as an indicator of sterility when the gown is sterilized before use.The sterile surgical gown is donned by completely wrapping it around the wearer to provide a secure enclosure which requires no fasteners or ties.

Abstract: A shift-type strapless examining robe designed to give a female patient a sorely needed psychological lift during the physical examination. The upper portion of the robe is provided with elongated openings of different lengths at the front and back thereof to afford the physician ready access to the parts of the body requiring examination. Also the lower portion is flared extensively and includes a pair of pleats at the front of the robe adjacent to the bottom thereof which forms a continuous bottom section without any openings functioning as a tent-like covering during the pelvic examination, without need for any separate additional covering sheets.

Abstract: A crib sheet for retaining an infant in a central region of a crib or bed and preventing such an infant from displacing a blanket covering when unattended. The sheet includes a central pleat which extends along the entire sheet length and is sewed or otherwise fixed in a folded configuration at the ends thereof. A sleeper jacket is attached at an opening across the central pleat to form an integral sleeper unit. The extendable pleat between the fixed ends permits safe movement for the infant without binding the sheet or causing other discomfort.

Abstract: A single-use, nonwoven surgical gown having a bib at the chest area configured to provide a sterile hand support pocket in the aseptic zone and an additional barrier layer in the critical chest area to guard against microbial transmission. The bib may also be configured to provide a belt tunnel within which a wraparound belt may be attached and stored and which will allow for vertical adjustment of the belt while providing the surgical gown with a clear and unencumbered front. The bib is attached to the inside of the gown front with access to the hand support pocket and bib tunnel through appropriately located slits in the gown front.

Abstract: Unitary garments and a low-cost method of manufacture for such garments are disclosed. The garments of this invention are formed by folding a unitary sheet of material upon itself to form front and back sides. This folded sheet is then cut and seamed to form the garment's shoulders and sleeves.

Abstract: An artificial breast or mastectomy prosthesis is a light weight substantially breast-shaped pad having hook type fastening means at a plurality of locations about the periphery of the pad, which are fastenable to mating pile attachment means on the inside of the bosom area of a nightgown and are readily removable therefrom, when desired. More particularly, the artificial breast is of substantially triangular outline shape, when viewed from the front thereof, with hook tape fastening means at each corner and extending away from the triangle and with pile attachment means, ready for fastening to a nightgown, removably held to the hook tape fastening means. Specific pad structures are also described, as are nightgowns with pile attachment means and artificial breasts of this invention attached thereto, and a method of removably attaching the described artificial breast or mastectomy prosthesis to the inside of a nightgown.

Abstract: A disposable garment comprising, a sterile gown having a back, a pair of side edges defining an opening on the back of the gown, and an elongated belt retained on the gown and having at least one end section for placement around the opening to close the gown about a wearer. The garment has a protective member removably positioned on and covering an outer end of the one end section to prevent contamination of the one end section while handling the belt. The protective member is releasably retained against the garment to prevent premature movement of the protective member relative the gown.

Abstract: A garment for the lower body, particularly for use by indigent or bedridden patients is disclosed. The garment comprises two lateral side panels of pentagonal configuration secured together along a central seam, and a central panel extending centrally from the side panel in generally T-configuration. The central panel is formed of two panels of pentagonal configuration secured together along a central seam, and secured along upper edges to lower edges of the two lateral side panels. The garment has a central fullness for fit in the crotch area when in use and the side panels cover the side and front side areas of the abdomen of the patient and the front panels cover the crotch portion and the frontal portion of the abdomen. Means preferably in the form of drawstrings are provided to secure side edges of the front panel to respective side edges of the side panels along lines of joinder frontally of the patient, with the lines of joinder extending from the waist of the patient to mid-thigh.

Abstract: A hospital gown including at least two panels removably secured about the front and back of a patient to form a garment having a pair of sleeves and an upper torso enveloping portion. Straps are provided in the interior of one sleeve for holding an I.V. tube and a pocket is sewn to the front of the torso enveloping portion to hold a medical diagnostic instrument which can be connected to the chest of the patient through an opening in the torso enveloping portion adjacent the pocket.

Abstract: A belt assembly comprising, a housing having an elongated tunnel, and an elongated belt passing through the housing tunnel. The housing and belt have cooperating surface restraining means interengaging in the housing tunnel and providing substantial restraint against movement of the belt through the housing tunnel, with the surface means permitting movement of the belt through the housing tunnel responsive to relatively large forces applied against the belt.

Abstract: A surgical gown is formed of a front panel of a single section of material which has two sleeves with the front portion of each one integral with the front panel so that no seams are located at the front of the gown. Each sleeve is formed of a single section of material which is folded and joined by a seam located along the upper edge of the sleeve. The gown further includes a back portion joined to the front panel and sleeves.

Abstract: A sterile disposable garment comprising, a gown having a back, a front, and a pair of side margins adjacent side edges of the gown. The gown has strap means extending from the gown adjacent one of the side margins and defining an opening to receive the wearer's arm and retain the one side margin in position on the wearer while passing the remainder of the gown around the wearer.

Abstract: A belt closure for a surgical gown includes a back belt member attached to the free edge of a back closure panel and a side belt member attached to the side of the gown, the gown being closed by tying the two belt members on the side rather than the front of the gown. The side belt member is housed in an open-ended storage sleeve and is folded so that its free end projects forwardly where it may be grasped easily by the wearer, with a loop of the belt extending rearwardly from the sleeve where it may be easily grasped by a non-sterile assistant.

Abstract: A sterile back surgical gown is closed by side and back belts tied at the user's side. The back belt is designed to be passed to the wearer without loss of sterility; and is stored in a pocket with its free end in an envelope that extends into the pocket and is deadfolded to remain in proper position, and that has an exposed transparent side so that an assistant can see the belt end. The fixed end of the back belt and one end of an inner tie are anchored by respective parts of a snap closure that releasably holds a closure panel in open position. The side belt is in a storage sleeve with a free end projecting forwardly and a loop extending rearwardly, and there is a Y-reinforcing strip connected between the side belt and gown to allow the belt to be pulled both forwardly and rearwardly without peeling from the gown.

Abstract: A surgical gown having a central and side portions (hereinafter referred to as panels) and outer belt means. The belt means comprises two tie strings or the like, one of said ties being attached to the central panel of the gown near one of the two side panels. The other tie is attached to the second of the side panels near the outer edge thereof. The free end of each tie is releasably grasped by a transfer device which holds the ties in a position overlying the outer surface of the central panel. During the gowning procedure, the transfer device becomes the means whereby a sterile assistant may effect final closure of the gown without becoming contaminated or whereby a non-sterile assistant may effect final closure of the gown without endangering or destroying the sterile character of the gown. Preferably the gown also comprises inner closure means for further securing the gown in the waist area.