PROTECTIVE GARMENTS

Abstract

An aspect of the invention provides a protective garment comprising a pair of arms and a body portion having a vertical split along its length, the body portion further comprising an opening for receiving a user's head therethrough, wherein at least a part of the protective garment is manufactured from a water repellent material comprising a polyester base and polyurethane coating having a combined weight of 70 to 100 grams per square meter. Another aspect of the invention provides a protective garment comprising a water repellent material comprising a polyester base and polyurethane coating having a combined weight of 70 to 100 grams per square meter. Such a protective garment could include a gown, drape, or bib, for example.

Claims

1. A protective garment comprising a pair of arms and a body portion having a vertical split along its length, the body portion further comprising an opening for receiving a user's head therethrough, wherein at least a part of the protective garment is manufactured from a water repellent material comprising a polyester base and polyurethane coating having a combined weight of 70 to 100 grams per square meter.

2. A protective garment according to claim 1, wherein the entirety of the garment is manufactured from the water repellent material.

3. A protective garment according to claim 1, wherein the water repellent material comprises a 100% polyester base.

4. A protective garment according to claim 1, wherein the polyurethane coating is applied using rotary-screen-printing-coating, roll-coating, flow-coating, foam-coating, spray-coating, blade-coating, transfer-coating or a combination thereof and subjecting the coated polyester base to a temperature such that the polyurethane coating is cross-liked to the polyester base.

5. A protective garment according to any claim 1, wherein each arm of the protective garment comprises an elastic cuff

6. A protective garment according to any claim 1 further comprising a fastener for securing the body portion of the protective garment around a wearer's waist.

7. A protective garment according to claim 6, wherein the fastener comprises a tie formed from a pair of cords, each fixed to a respective part of the body portion of the protective garment on opposing sides of the vertical split thereof.

8. A protective garment according to claim 7, wherein the fastener further comprises a hook and loop configuration at an upper end of the vertical split.

9. A protective garment according to claim 1 that is configured to be re-used.

10. A protective garment according to claim 1 wherein each arm is sewn from a piece of material to form a tubular structure and each arm is sewn to the body portion, wherein each seam is sealed.

11. A protective garment according to claim 1 wherein each edge of the protective garment is rolled and sealed.

12. A protective garment according to claim 1, wherein the adhesion between the polyester base and polyurethane coating is at least 1.5 daN/5 cm.

13. A protective garment according to claim 1, wherein the tensile strength of the water repellent material is at least 9 daN/5 cm.

14. A protective garment according to claim 1, wherein the tear strength of the water repellent material is at least 1 daN.

15. A protective garment according to claim 1, wherein the weight of the polyester base is 30 grams per square meter.

16. A protective garment according to claim 1, wherein the weight of the polyurethane coating is 65 grams per square meter.

17. A protective garment comprising a water repellent material comprising a polyester base and polyurethane coating having a combined weight of 70 to 100 grams per square meter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the following figures.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a gown according to aspects and embodiments of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a back view of a gown according to aspects and embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] This invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the following figures; wherein the primary object of the present invention is to provide an item of PPE in the form of a gown that is re-usable while preventing cross-infection between patients and medical professionals and care givers, for example.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a gown (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gown briefly comprises a pair of arms (12, 14) and a body portion (16). An opening (18) for a wearer's head is provided at the top of the body portion (16). Each of the arms (12, 14) is elasticated at their respective cuff (20) for providing a seal around the wearer's wrists.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a back view of the gown (10) and shows a vertical split (22) running vertically down the entire length of the back of the gown (10) and a fixing means, i.e., a tie, (24) for fixing both sides of the body portion (16) around the body of the wearer. As shown, the tie (24) comprises a pair of cords, one attached to each part of the body portion (16), on opposing sides of the vertical split (22) thereof. In some embodiments, a hook and loop fastener (not shown) provides attachment of the two opposing parts of the body portion (16) adjacent to the collar (26) thereof. One part of the hook and the loop is sewn into one of the opposing sides of the vertical split (22) and the other of the hook and the loop is sewn into the other of the opposing sides of the vertical split (22). In some embodiments, the front of the gown (10), as shown in FIG. 1, is longer than the back of the gown (10), as shown in FIG. 2.

[0033] Gowns (10) according to embodiments of the invention are manufactured from a material comprising a fabric base and polyurethane (PU) coating having a combined weight of 70 to 100 grams per square meter. In one embodiment, the fabric base is 100% polyester. In one embodiment, he polyester base has a weight of 30 grams per square meter and the PU coating has a weight of 65 grams per square meter making a combined weight of 95 grams per square meter.

[0034] The material is prepared by using a coating process. Examples of coating processes include, but are not limited to, rotary-screen-printing-coating, roll-coating, flow-coating, foam-coating, spray-coating, blade-coating, transfer-coating or a combination thereof to apply the PU coating to the polyester base or to a temporary substrate. In some embodiments, the PU coating is applied to a paper backing. The PU coating may then be laid over the polyester base and pressed until cured. Once cured, the paper backing is removed to leave a smooth outer surface. Curing occurs by subjecting the PU coating to increased temperature such that the PU coating is cross-linked to the polyester base. The adhesion between the polyester base and PU coating is at least 1.5 daN/5 cm. This provides a breathable and liquid repellent material that meets the requirements of various governmental health departments.

[0035] The PU coated polyester has the following additional properties:

TABLE-US-00001 Tensile strength (length and width) >9 daN/5 cm Tear strength (length and width) >1 daN Seam resistance (length and width) >6 daN/5 cm % elongation under 30N/5 cm (length) >35% % elongation under 30N5 cm (width) >55% Water vapour permeability  >900 gm.sup.2/24 hours

[0036] The PU coated polyester is provided by the sheet or on a roll and cut to size and shape using a standard pattern. Each gown (10) is manufactured from several pieces of material including at least the arms (12, 14) and the body portion (16). Each of the arms (12, 14) is cut as a substantially rectangular shape and sewn together along its length to form a tubular structure. Elastic is sewn into the cuff (20) of each arm (12, 14). The body portion (16) is shaped such that a cut-out is provided for each arm (12, 14) to be attached to. The body portion (16) is folded such that the circular cut-out is positioned substantially central when the gown (10) is viewed from the front. The arms (12, 14) are sewn to the body portion (16). All seams of the gown (10) are sealed to mitigate the risk of bacterial or viral cells taking hold in the seams.

[0037] In use, a wearer pulls the gown (10) over their head and inserts it through the opening (18). Each of the wearer's arms is inserted into a respective arm (12, 14) of the gown (10). The two parts of the body portion (16) are pulled together to close the gown (10) at the rear and the tie (24) is knotted to secure the gown (10) tightly around the wearer's midriff The hook-and-loop fastener is fastened adjacent to the wearers neck. The wearer's hands are protected by way of disposable gloves and their face is protected by a face mask, or similar.

[0038] The present invention is described by way of reference to a gown, whether sterile, or non-sterile. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the material chosen for such a gown may equally be applicable to other medical articles such as drapes, caps and bibs. The principal of the invention remains the same, i.e., use of a lightweight, reusable material that is resilient to temperature and chemicals so as to return a used protective garment or article to a clean, non-sterile condition. Such a protective garment is first washed at a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius, for non-sterile protective garments, and preferably at 95 degrees Celsius, for sterile protective garments. Protective garments according to aspects of the invention may be re-sterilized through autoclaving at 120 degrees Celsius or by using a gamma irradiation sterilisation process, or similar.

[0039] Although the present invention has been described by way of reference to a material having a polyester base, it will be appreciated that such disclosure is made in the interests of providing one way in which the person of ordinary skilled in the art could put the invention into use. In some embodiments, the polyester base may be replaced with an alternative fabric such as microfibre, nylon, or a blend of different materials, in each case providing such materials have equivalent material properties to those described in connection with the present invention.

[0040] The above description is for the purpose of teaching the person of ordinary skill in the art how to practice the present invention, and it is not intended to detail all those obvious modification and variations of which it will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this description. It is intended, however, that all such obvious modifications and variations be included within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the following claims. The claims are intended to cover the claimed components and steps in any sequence which is effective to meet the objectives there intended, unless the context specifically indicates to the contrary.