Bed Garments Patents (Class 2/114)
  • Patent number: 5869172
    Abstract: Improved processes are provided for treating a porous substrate (especially a fabric) to produce novel internally coated porous materials. During treatment, a curable thixotropic material and one or modifying materials are applied to the porous substrate as an impregnant. The treatment imparts specific properties to the end product material. Selection of the modifier material is based on the particular end use application. Sufficient energy is directed to the impregnant and porous substrate to cause the impregnant to flow into the porous substrate and force the modifier to specific positions within the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Caldwell
  • Patent number: 5867825
    Abstract: A novel garment package and a novel method of forming a sterile garment package to facilitate donning of a garment by a wearer is disclosed in the present invention. The method of forming the garment package may be used to fold a sleeve, a shoe cover, a hood, a coverall or other like garments. The method is performed by laying the garment on a surface in a flattened condition with the exterior surface of the garment exposed; cuffing a portion of the garment around the opening to expose a portion of the interior surface of the garment while leaving a portion of the exterior surface of said garment exposed; and, at least one time, folding the cuffed portion of the garment over onto the exposed portion of the exterior surface. Thereafter, the cuffed and folded may be placed in a bag and the bag is sealed. To don the garment, the wearer solely grasps and handles the garment by the exposed interior surface and prevents the garment from contacting the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Michael Robert Scheerer
  • Patent number: 5862525
    Abstract: A surgical gown in an improved folded arrangement, as well as methods and apparatus for producing same. Like prior art book-folds, the folded arrangement includes left and right hand pockets to facilitate aseptic donning by a medical professional. Unlike prior art book-folds, however the folded arrangement of the invention employs a unique fold sequence particularly amenable to automated processing. Methods of the invention are directed to the specific fold sequences that can be utilized to produce the folded arrangement. Apparatus for producing the folded arrangement includes a number of operative sections functionally arranged in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry N. Tankersley, Stephen G. Will, Richard A. Willett
  • Patent number: 5822801
    Abstract: A face shield having a face portion made of a rigid transparent material and having a concave shape so as to conform to the shape of a face. A handle portion is integrally formed with the face portion and extends downward from the bottom of the face portion. The handle portion is hollow and has an open bottom end. A handle grip covers the handle portion and also has an open bottom end. A bottom plug is fit securely in the open bottom end of the handle grip. The bottom plug has an opening to allow air to pass through the handle portion and into the area of the face portion. A hook is provided on the bottom plug to allow the shield to be hung on a wall or other surface when not in use. The shield is used while applying sprayable hair products and keeps these products from contacting the face of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Marna L. Varney
  • Patent number: 5813052
    Abstract: An improved surgical gown is provided which has, at its central operative field and the operative zones of the sleeves, a liquid repellent, moisture vapor transmitting material, an inner layer of a breathable material, and an intermediate layer of a liquid proof material interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Standard Textile Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5806096
    Abstract: A medical tube-retaining garment to deter patients, especially children, from disturbing a surgical wound site on the torso. An inner garment resembling a shirt or undergarment having a split back is affixed to an outer garment made of a wrappable, elastic bandage material. Both the outer and inner garments close over the back by overlapping portions having hook and loop type fasteners, which rear entry design deters the patient or child from detaching the garments. A crotch strap passes from front to back of the outer garment to deter the child from pulling up on the inner garment to reveal the surgery site. Similarly, shoulder straps of the inner garment deter the child from pulling the inner garment down to reveal the site. Secondary hook and eye fasteners prevent separation of the hook and loop fasteners. When the inner and outer garments are secured over the back the child is sufficiently deterred from gaining access to the implanted tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Jacqueline R. Pennington
  • Patent number: 5802611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to clothing specifically designed for incapacitated or bedridden patients. The clothing includes trousers, shorts, a shirt and an undergarment each having separable seams allowing the garments to be easily removed from a patient with minimal movement or manipulation of the patient's body. Each garment has an integrated moisture detection means which will emit an audible alarm upon sensing a predetermined amount of moisture. The clothing also has a temperature detecting means, for instantaneously providing the patient's body temperature, removably attached thereto. Preferably, each garment is constructed with a fabric like material that has been pretreated with an antibacterial, an anti-fugal or an antiviral agent in order to minimize bed sores, skin rashes and other skin irritations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventors: Melody McKenzie, Michelle Gainor
  • Patent number: 5799328
    Abstract: A garment designed to help in the physiological and psychological rehabilitation of a hemiplegic patient. Disposed on the shirt sleeves and the pants legs of the garment are graspable elements, such as hoops or handles. Within each of the shirt sleeves and pants legs are reinforced areas that are joined to the graspable elements. The reinforced areas branch out across the material of the shirt sleeve or the pants leg. As a result, when a pulling force is applied to the graspable element, the force is transferred throughout the sleeve or leg by the reinforced areas. This enables a sleeve to be pulled onto an arm or a pants leg to be pulled onto a leg by applying a pulling force to just one position, thereby providing the ability for a person to use a partially disabled arm when dressing. In a preferred embodiment, small weights are positioned within the garment at various points along the sleeves and pants legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventors: Steven H. Harlem, Davida P. Harlem
  • Patent number: 5799330
    Abstract: The invention comprises a patient garment having a front side, a back side and two sleeve sections. The front side opens vertically down the center and is closed with releasable fasteners such as buttons or snaps, to allow for the patient to put on the garment. The garment has four triangular openings, arranged two on the front side and two on the back side, with one each on the right and left sides of the garment. The garment has a shoulder strap on each side that runs from the neck of the garment along the shoulder line of the garment and connects to a sleeve section. The shoulder strap forms the top edge of each of the triangular openings. Four triangular panels are attached to the garment to cover each of the triangular openings. Each triangular panel has a top side, a proximal side and a distal side. The top side of each panel is releasably secured to a shoulder strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Christine O'Donoghue-Kitt
  • Patent number: 5768707
    Abstract: An examination gown is formed of fabric and includes six panels. Two upper body panels are joined with four lower skirt panels. The panels are seamed so that two lower side access slits are provided and front and back access slits are provided through the upper body panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Bonnie Lederer
    Inventor: Bonnie L. Lederer
  • Patent number: 5724674
    Abstract: Improved material utilization and barrier protection for surgical sleeves is provided by improved garment pattern design and methods of assembly. The surgical sleeve of the present invention is formed from a single sheet of material. By folding the sheet of material, a reinforcing layer integral with a sleeve layer is formed. A dual layered sleeve having two integral sleeve layers is also formed by folding a single sheet of material. One of the sleeve layers of the dual layered sleeve may be folded so as to form a reinforcing layer integral with said sleeve layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: David Loring Covington, David James Alexander
  • Patent number: 5694646
    Abstract: A system of protective garments for caretakers is disclosed. The system provides for comfortable garments to protect medical or nursing personnel while they are attending patients. The system includes a outter garment having a outter layer which is impervious to fluids and an inner liner that is comfortable to the wearer. A vest like garment is provided to be worn under the outter garmant and hold heat exchanger devices to cool the wearer. The system is designd to be disposable, however some of the elements may be reused if they have not come in contact the patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Timothy J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5694643
    Abstract: Clothes such as a bathrobe having superior moisture absorption and thermal insulation and which keeps one's body dry and clean as it absorbs water remaining not only on the upper half but also at the lower half of one's body after bathing or the like and keeps one's body warm, is provided. The bathrobe includes a body part and an attached cloth. The attached cloth is attached to the body part of the bathrobe to cover one's crotch. A band is attached on one end of the attached cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Tomoko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5680653
    Abstract: An elastic laminate, and particularly a liquid impermeable elastic laminate, having a stretchable layer secured to an elastic liquid impermeable film wherein the film is formed from an elastic self-adhering adhesive is disclosed. The disclosed elastic laminate may be incorporated in a variety of products, such as diapers, feminine care articles, stockinettes, cuffs, and garments, such as surgical gowns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Peter Mathis, Uyles Woodrow Bowen, Jr., Timothy Wilson Reader
  • Patent number: 5673433
    Abstract: The present invention provides a garment (e.g., a surgical gown) having adhered thereto a conformable, thin polymeric barrier film. The barrier film provides fluid resistance to the garment while still allowing the garment to "breathe." In addition, preferred barrier films are resistant to the transmission of pathogens. The barrier film of the present invention, prior to being applied to a fabric substrate, is preferably provided as an assembly in the form of an individual sheet, a roll of material, or a pad of stacked sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothrum
  • Patent number: 5661852
    Abstract: An orthopedic shirt used by a patient during a post-operative stage of a repair procedure or treatment involving a patient's shoulder, arm or upper body region, and used with an upper body immobilization device such as an abduction pillow, brace, cast, splint, and the like. The orthopedic shirt consists of a first panel and a second panel that are substantially cut so that either panel may serve as a front or a rear of the shirt. Each panel consists of an outer edge. Each panel further defines a sleeve portion also containing the outer edge. Releasable fasteners are disposed along at least one outer edge of the panels, and sleeve portions of the panels. These fasteners releasably interconnect the two panels, and segments of the sleeves. This releasable interconnection of the panels, and sleeves allows the patient to be dressed or undressed without involving the movement of an immobilized shoulder, an upper body region that has undergone trauma, or an upper body region that has undergone treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventor: Nia M. Kessler
  • Patent number: 5652961
    Abstract: A new design for the clothing worn by hospital personnel known as, "scrubs", is disclosed, including a strap at the neck which forms a loop for holding a stethoscope. Detachable sleeves, also held together with Velcro, are also provided for enabling to user to take off the bottom part of the sleeve and wear standard length short sleeves and reattach them as needed. A two-pocket pouch at the waist area with two separate flaps covering these pockets are provided, and are secured shut by Velcro to the lower half one at a time or simultaneously. The area behind the two pockets creates a third, wide pocket. There is also a double pocket on the sleeve for pens, pencils, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Robin Lee Knight-Yurt
  • Patent number: 5652962
    Abstract: The gown assembly of the present invention is constructed to provide a patient wearing the gown with maximum comfort and also ease of insertion of various intravenous tubes for feeding and blood sampling without removal of the gown. Moreover, the gown is adapted to fit a variety of sizes and shapes of patients and has patient-restraining straps and bands integral with the gown. The gown preferably is of washeable cloth and may be disposable. The gown extends from about the level of the neck to at least about the level of the knees and opens at the back by means of a vertical opening extending the full length thereof and placed off the midline of the gown so that the fasteners for the gown will not rub the spinal column. The gown includes mittens attached to the ends of the sleeves and having elongated restraining bands which tie into bows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Shirley Patnode
  • Patent number: 5640715
    Abstract: A garment is provided which is capable of being moved between a folded up position and a folded down position. In the folded up position, a false front simply appears to be the front of a regular garment. In this position, the bib is attached to a torso covering means by at least one fastener. A separate attachment holds the bib to the torso covering means substantially along the waist of the wearer. In the folded down position, however, a lined bib is provided which gives a measure of protection against spills of beverages, foods, paints, compounds, elements, industrial substances, and so on. In this position, the waist portion attachment is engaged, while the fasteners are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Flip N'Wear
    Inventor: Juel S. Adams
  • Patent number: 5624154
    Abstract: A barrier system for dental procedures utilizing a disposable gown positioned on a dental operatory chair as a shield between dental personnel and their patients. The gown is arranged and supported on a support frame mounted to the operatory chair so that the dental personnel can easily slip into and out of the gown in moving between patients in different rooms, while the gown remains on the operatory chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventor: Shigeo R. Kishi
  • Patent number: 5621917
    Abstract: A garment formed essentially as a sack, the infant's feet occupying a common compartment, the garment having closures located along the top or shoulder portions of the garment and down the front of the garment, the closures comprising a series of intermittently spaced detachably fastenable closure means. The garment is further formed so as to have an aperture for the neck and apertures for the arms and/or hands. The garment may be formed by sewing to a back panel, right and left front panels along the outside edges corresponding to the underarms, the sides and foot of the garment. Alternatively, the garment may be formed by knitting or weaving a sack having an essentially T-shaped configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the series of intermittently spaced detachably fastenable closure means comprise hook and loop closure means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Sandra R. Howsden
  • Patent number: 5611087
    Abstract: A garment for permitting ease of enclosing portions of a human body. The inventive device includes a front garment panel positionable over an anterior portion of a human body. A rear garment panel is positionable over a posterior portion of the human body and can be removably coupled at opposed lateral edges thereof to opposed lateral edges of the front garment panel to fully enclose the selected portion of the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Lola Adkins
  • Patent number: 5603123
    Abstract: An invalid garment 10 having at least one seam 12-18. The seam 12-18 includes mating attaching members 36, 38 which are adapted to selectively close and open the seam. A method of making garment 10 is also disclosed and includes the steps of opening a closed seam and inserting members 36, 38 into the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Barbara A. Chupa
  • Patent number: 5594955
    Abstract: A garment, such as a surgical gown, having a liquid impervious sleeve and a liquid retentive/impervious cuff is provided. The sleeve may be formed from a fibrous web secured to a liquid impervious film. The cuff may be formed from a liquid retentive layer and a liquid impervious layer. The cuff may be made elastic by securing an elastic layer between the liquid retentive layer and the liquid impervious layer. In another embodiment, the cuff may include inner and outer liquid retentive layers, wherein the liquid impervious layer and the elastic layer are captured therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Jay R. Sommers
  • Patent number: 5588153
    Abstract: A surgical gown is adapted to be operatively disposed to substantially cover a surgeon wearing a ventilator having a waist-mounted power unit, a head-mounted manifold structure, and at least one tube extending therebetween. The gown includes a head section, a waist section, and a shoulder section appropriately configured to cover analogous portions of the surgeon's body. A ventilator section, disposed between the head section and the waist section when the gown is operatively disposed on the surgeon, defines tube channel to receive the tube of the ventilator. This ventilator section forms an enlargement which facilitates movement of the head of the surgeon without substantial restriction by the head section of the gown. An interior tie gathers a front section of the gown around the neck of the surgeon to isolate movement between the head section and shoulder section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Stackhouse, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger G. Ignon, Ronald E Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5588155
    Abstract: A surgical gown sleeve formed from a liquid impermeable elastic necked-stretched laminate is disclosed. The elastic necked-stretched laminate may include an elastic layer captured between two necked-stretched spunbond layers. The disclosed elastic necked-stretched laminate may also be incorporated in a variety of products, such as stockinettes, shoe covers and foot covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry W. Baker, Timothy W. Reader
  • Patent number: 5575006
    Abstract: A hospital garment is disclosed which includes a waist encircling band, front and rear panels which depend therefrom, and reversible fasteners on the front and rear panels. The waist encircling band is reversibly attachable about the waist of a wearer using snap fasteners. Additional snap fasteners are located in the lower central portion of both the front and rear panels so that the front and rear panels fasten at the crotch of a wearer in a non-overlapping fashion, and leg holes are formed. When the garment is attached about the wearer's waist and fastened about the wearer's crotch, vertical slits are defined on the outside of the wearer's legs. Overlapping flaps are included on the rear and front panels to cover the vertical apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Dorothy T. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5572742
    Abstract: A garment for the disabled which may be removed while the disabled person remains sitting the garment comprises two major parts. A body which is openable in the back and a back panel that is attachable to the body of the garment so that the opening through the garment is covered. The back panel remains beneath the user of the garment when the body of the garment is removed. The garment is particularly useful to those unable to stand or for whom standing is difficult, particularly without assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Vansur Investments & Asociados
    Inventor: Elizabeth B. McFadden
  • Patent number: 5572743
    Abstract: A surgical garment for use with elastic surgical gloves is disclosed. The garment includes a body portion that at least partially covers the wearer's torso. The garment also includes a pair of sleeves which extend into proximity with the wrists of the wearer. At least one stiffener ring is attachable to each sleeve in proximity to the distal end or wrist area of the sleeve and is thus disposed to underlie the surgical gloves when worn. The stiffener rings apply an outward force against the elastic surgical gloves to alleviate pressure against the wrists of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Edward Q. Yavitz
  • Patent number: 5564123
    Abstract: A single piece upper garment provides for ease of donning and removal by a physically challenged person and/or assistant or caretaker. The garment is formed of one or more sheets or sections of material in which all openings (neck, arms, and torso or trunk) are separable along at least one seam thereof, so the garment may be laid out substantially flat. The back portion may be placed against the back of a person (or the person may lie on the back portion), and the front portion wrapped around the person and closed along a lateral seam, similar to a conventional sewn side seam in a shirt or the like. The shoulders may then be closed, and the sleeves (if any) wrapped about the arms and closed, thereby providing a garment having a conventional appearance but providing for ease of donning and removal. The garment may include pockets and other conventional features, and may also include decorative but non-functional components such as a simulated front buttoned closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Betty Grassick
  • Patent number: 5564126
    Abstract: A partially or fully open type upper garment for patients includes a left front piece, a lower front piece, a rear piece, a left sleeve and a right sleeve sewn together. The left front piece and the right front piece is joined together by means of a first fastening device. At least one side of the front pieces is provided with a slit which runs lengthwise of said front piece and its contiguous sleeve. A second fastening device is provided at the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignees: Chia-Tein Chou, Shiu-Yin Cheng
    Inventor: Chao-Mu Chou
  • Patent number: 5553323
    Abstract: An upper garment for patients which includes a back panel for covering over the back of a patient, two front panels sewed up with the back panel and fastened together by a zipper and respectively fastened to either side of the back panel by a respective zipper for covering over the front side of the upper body of the patient, two opposite sleeve panels respectively sewn up with the back panel and fastened up into a sleeve by a respective zipper in the longitudinal direction for covering around the hands of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventors: Chia-Tien Chou, Chao-Mu Chao
  • Patent number: 5545464
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pattern bonded nonwoven fabric containing conjugate fibers. The conjugate fibers contain a higher melting component polymer and a lower melting component polymer, wherein the higher melting component polymer envelopes the lower melting component polymer and forms the peripheral surface along the length of the fibers. The present invention also provides articles produced from the conjugate fiber fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Ty J. Stokes
  • Patent number: 5487189
    Abstract: Disclosed is disposable protective coveralls having a reduced number of seams and a seamless shoulder construction. The disposable protective coveralls include a first body half and a second body half. Each body half is formed from a seamless sheet of material. The second body half is substantially a mirror image of the first body half. Each body half includes: 1) a body portion having a first and second edge and a top edge extending approximately half-way across the body portion from the second edge; 2) a sleeve portion having a top and bottom sleeve edge, a top edge, and a segment of the second edge of the body portion; and 3) a leg portion having a front and a rear leg edge. The protective coveralls' construction also includes approximately eight seams and a closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Richard H. Bell
  • Patent number: 5461724
    Abstract: An article of clothing for the medical or chemical field for protection against liquids and/or micro-organisms comprises at least three layers. The outer layer (1) is formed of a hydrophobic fabric which forms a liquid barrier and a micro-organism barrier. The inner layer (22) comprises at least one carrier material (24) having a net-like, apertured or open mesh structure secured to said outer layer at a non-critical position at which the danger of passage of liquids and/or micro-organisms through the outer layer is low. At least one membrane (26) is secured to the carrier material (24) at the aforementioned critical position at which the danger exists of the passage of liquid and/or micro-organisms through the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Rotecno AG
    Inventors: Guenther Wiedner, John A. Duncan, Suresh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 5454119
    Abstract: A bed jacket has a torso portion. The torso portion has a closed frontal portion and a neck opening seam attached to a top portion of the closed frontal portion. A left arm opening seam and a right arm opening seam are attached to the closed frontal portion. A partially open rear portion is attached to the closed frontal portion. The left sleeve portion and the right sleeve portion are attached, respectively, to the left arm opening seam and to the right arm opening seam. There is a bib portion releasably attached to a front surface of the closed frontal portion. A multi-compartment belt is attached to the closed frontal portion. There is a shoulder support portion attached to the closed frontal portion. The shoulder support portion is also attached to the partially open rear portion. The shoulder support portion has a releasably fastened securing member attached to a neckband or collar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Joyce M. Thomm
  • Patent number: 5444871
    Abstract: A medical gown has a tubular, seamless, and impervious protective layer surrounding each sleeve to provide enhanced protection from contamination, particularly during surgical procedures. The bottom end of the protective layer is attached to the sleeve cuff and the top end preferably extends at least 70% of the distance to the shoulder seam. The protective layer may be of polyethylene or other suitable material, and the top end may be adhered to the sleeve by commonly used adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Francisco G. Lopez
  • Patent number: 5444873
    Abstract: A disposable protective gown having a body portion with an upper part formed to extend over the shoulders of the wearer of the gown. The upper part includes a centrally located aperture for passage of the wearer's head. A pair of sleeves extend outwardly from opposite sides of the upper part and each comprise a generally conical member that is attached at one end along 360 degrees of its circumference to the upper part. The orientation of each sleeve is provided by an integral thumb loop at the hand end of the sleeve. A heat seal weld joins the sleeve and body portion at a welded interface which extends along 330 degrees of the circumference of the base of the sleeves. Another heat seal extends along the length of each of the sleeves until it intersects and extends a little beyond the 360 degree weld to form as somewhat "L-shaped" seal for added strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan Levin
  • Patent number: 5444872
    Abstract: A hospital-type gown wherein comfort, style and cost savings in manufacture are provided, yet still enabling the patient wearer to preserve modesty while providing necessary access to the patient by a doctor or nurse for either examination or treatment wherein the gown is essentially made up for four parts, including two identical sleeve pattern panels and two identical body pattern panels, with the sleeve pattern panels being sewn to respective ones of the body panels along sleeve-body panel seams which extend from the neck hem to under the armpits and the then formed left and right halves are sewn together overlapping one another such that the joinder at the rear extends along the neck and down the sleeve-body seams so that the overlapping portions are about 1/3 the overall width of the gown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Catherine A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5440763
    Abstract: A multi-purpose gown comprising a front and a back defining a body portion having arm openings and a neck opening. The front portion is dividable into a plurality of segments by various openings releasably closable by a plurality of fasteners. A strap extends in the front of the gown from the top to the bottom of the gown. The strap includes fasteners for attachment to fasteners arranged on the front portions of the gown. Alternatively, the gown may embody a front having overlapping panels that cover the abdomen, wherein each panel has an upper segment adapted to cover a breast, side, and front shoulder region of the wearer. The upper segments are releasably joined to the back by fasteners at the shoulder edges of the gown. When either one of these segments is in its open position, portions of the patient's chest, front shoulder and side torso regions are exposed, while minimizing body exposure and maintaining structural stability of the gown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignees: DataChem, Inc., Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh M. Shah, Robert J. Demeter
  • Patent number: 5429593
    Abstract: The present invention provides a post-surgical, drainage accomodating, compression dressing and garment intended to be worn by a man or woman after chest wall surgery to cover and compress at least one surgical incision site on the upper torso. The dressing is formed at least in part by deformable elastomeric material for the generation of compression forces over the surgical incision and over the surrounding upper torso areas. This improved garment provides for the presence of a surgical drain for the collection of fluids, the drain extending from the surgical incision site into the external ambient environment; and can also provide a support for a drainage collection bulb which is often present as part of the surgical drainage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Yvedt L. Matory
  • Patent number: 5418978
    Abstract: A one piece washable garment having high thermal qualities and designed as a restraint for old and incapacitated people. The garment is closed at the front except for a small but concealed cavity at the waistline to house a catheter tube. A sheath for accessories is stitched to the underside of the front of the garment. The rear of the garment is divided into two segments held together by a plurality of fasteners, one of which extends from near the neckline to the crotch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Sanford Hochman
  • Patent number: 5414867
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable protective garment for protecting personnel when caring for potentially infectious victims in an emergency situation. The garment is adapted to be readily donned by the user and is provided with strategically located fastener means to provide for quick and substantial closure of the garment about the user. Specially connected gloves and detachable masks are also provided for use with the protective garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: TCB California Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia J. Bowling, Robert F. Brecher, Scott Burgess
  • Patent number: 5392467
    Abstract: A moisture-management garment and support garment including a moisture-management panel which extends from an upper crotch area of the garment to a lower crotch area of the garment. The panel includes an inner fabric layer, intermediate fabric layer, and an outer fabric layer. The inner fabric layer is constructed of wicking yarns for residing in skin contact during garment wear. The intermediate fabric layer comprises one or more moisture transport inserts which reside adjacent to the inner fabric layer for transporting moisture away from the inner fabric layer and away from the skin of the wearer. An outer fabric layer resides adjacent the intermediate fabric layer for receiving and dispersing moisture wicked outwardly from the inner and intermediate fabric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Intelpro Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert L. Moretz, Daniel L. Brier
  • Patent number: 5392466
    Abstract: An upper garment including a garment body formed by connecting a front half body panel with a back half body panel, and two sleeves respectively formed by connecting a respective front half sleeve panel with a respective back half sleeve panel, the front half body panel having at least one side detachably connected to a corresponding side of the back half body panel, the front half sleeve panel of at least one sleeve has one side detachably connected to a corresponding side of the respective back sleeve panel. An armpit hole, a shoulder hole, and a pocket with a through hole are respectively made on the garment body and shielded with a respective flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventors: Chia-Tien Chou, Chao-Mu Chou
  • Patent number: 5375265
    Abstract: A holding apparatus for holding a urine bag on a user's leg, especially the thigh, has a first knitted hose part, a second knitted hose part of the same diameter which is connected to the first hose part via a continuous connecting region. The first hose part is positioned onto a leg. The second hose part is folded upwardly onto the first knitted hose part to secure the urine bag on the leg. Also, a separating region, in the connecting region, enables the passage of an outlet of the urine bag when the knitted hose parts are in a folded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignees: Karl-Heinz Muller, Klaus Muller, Peter Muller
    Inventor: Klaus Selzer
  • Patent number: 5367710
    Abstract: An examination gown comprises a pants member with an integrally attached bib. The bib includes a top edge with left and right sides, a right edge and a left edge. A right side strap member has a first end attached to a right side top edge and has a second end attached to a right edge. A left side strap member has a first end attached to a left side top edge and has a second end attached to a left edge. The back side of the pants member includes a drawstring along the upper edge of the back side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: James L. Karmin
  • Patent number: 5361411
    Abstract: A garment for protecting health care workers in environments of exposure to potentially contaminated fluids includes a tubular sheath having a pair of adhesive strips angularly oriented thereon for conforming the sheath to a leg and foot of the worker. The free ends of one strip are provided with an adhesive surface whereby the sheath may easily be conformed for a variety of different sizes of workers. The garment is preferably provided as a one-piece trouser for convenience of wearing, whereby the feet and legs of the worker are protected from contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventors: William W. Bohn, Susan M. Koppe
  • Patent number: 5361414
    Abstract: A hospital privacy gown is provided, which consists of a body garment having a front portion, a vertically split rear portion divided into two segments, a pair of sleeves and a neck opening, so that the body garment can be worn by a patient. A fastener is for retaining the two segments of the vertically split rear portion together at the neck opening. A structure is for covering up a lower separation of the two segments of the vertically split rear portion of the body garment. A component is for securing in an adjustable manner, the covering up structure at a waist location of the body garment to properly cover the body of the patient for personal modesty and be quickly opened for examination and access thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Astor M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5351008
    Abstract: Portable and disposable apparatus for leak testing surgical and/or examination gloves which may be worn on the body of the user to permit convenient detection of glove leaks during diagnostic procedures. In one embodiment there is provided an electrolyte-containing pouch worn on the body of the user and into which gloved hands may be inserted for evaluation. A leak in a glove permits the electrolyte to penetrate the glove and contact the skin of the wearer to close an electrical circuit and trigger an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Associated Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddie D. Leach, Marjorie E. Leach