Hospital gown

A hospital gown comprising a substantially quadrilaterally shaped unitary body portion, adapted to be wrapped around a patient's torso, having an inner, body-contacting surface, an outer surface, an upper edge, first and second longitudinally extending, opposing side edges, and a lower edge; sleeves extending from said outer surface of said body portion, providing communication with said inner, body-contacting surface and adapted for placement of said patient's arms therethrough; at least two non-metallic, elongate securing means extending outwardly and away from each of said first and second side edges, one of each of said securing means being respectively disposed substantially at the juncture of said upper edge with each of said respective first and second side edges, so as to comprise neck portion securing means extending substantially parallel to said upper edge and outwardly and away from each of said side edges; two non-metallic, elongate securing means extending outwardly and away from said upper edge, and being disposed about the longitudinal middle of said edge each being adapted for securing to the opposite neck portion securing means of said first and second side edges; at least one inner surface, non-metallic elongate securing means, extending inwardly and away from said inner body-contacting surface of said body portion, being adapted for securing to one of said first edge elongate securing means; and at least one outer surface, non-metallic elongate securing means, extending outwardly and away from said outer surface of said body portion, being adapted for securing to one of said second edge elongate securing means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to hospital gowns to be worn by a patient 
while in a hospital, particularly when undergoing diagnostic procedures, 
in a doctor's examination room, or while otherwise undergoing in- or 
out-patient medical treatment or diagnostic procedures. 
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 
197-1.99. 
Hospital gowns have long been the bane of physician and patient both, 
although from different perspectives and for different reasons. Physicians 
and hospital personnel prefer a gown that minimizes obstruction of their 
physical access to the patient's body, is relatively inexpensive and 
susceptible to manufacture and use in generic sizes, and is easy to use to 
dress and undress patients who might otherwise have difficulty in donning 
and removing the garment. Hospital gowns without sleeves, loose-fitting 
and with either an open back and ties or simple metal snaps for securing 
the garment about the patient, as are known to the art, are the gown of 
choice from that viewpoint. 
The manner of securing the garment may have a negative impact upon both the 
patient and other hospital personnel. While patients often prefer the ease 
of metal snaps, or even zippers, such devices provide a source of 
undesired interference and confusion to diagnostic procedures. This is 
particularly so where a gowned patient is to undergo X-ray or computerized 
axial tomograph analysis, as well as the newer nuclear and magnetic 
resonance imaging techniques. Cloth ties, while obviating these diagnostic 
difficulties, tend to lie in inaccessible areas of the body in the known 
hospital gowns, such as along the patient's back. This makes donning and 
doffing of the garment by oneself virtually impossible. The known gown 
closure systems using ties tend to bridge the major opening in the garment 
with those ties. This leaves a gap in the garment, particularly as the 
ties loosen, which tends to expose portions of the patient's body-- 
particularly the areas societally identified as the "private parts". 
This last shortcoming--the inability to maintain coverage of the body in 
the manner of choice--is the biggest drawback from a patient's viewpoint. 
The difficulty in dressing and undressing oneself, taken with the general 
unattractiveness of the known loose, blousy, non-formfitting gowns, were 
also severe shortcomings. 
The prior art suggested a variety of solutions to these problems. See, 
e.g., Barron U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,434; Blume U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,398; 
Bradley U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,587; Belkin U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,747; Keltner 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,072; Hoegerman U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,063; Bradley U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,399,406; Zimmon U.S. Pat. No. 3,353,189; Richter U.S. Pat. No. 
3,218,649; Derrick U.S Pat. No. 3,155,984; Severance U.S. Pat. No. 
2,331,051; A. C Daniels Great Britain Pat. No. 1,062,516; Philips U.S. 
Pat. Des. No. 263,345; Banks U.S. Pat. Des. No. 236,293; and Snider U.S. 
Pat. Des. No. 233,634. None of the hospital gowns disclosed, however, 
solved the problems and shortcomings from the standpoints of the physician 
and hospital personnel, medical diagnostic personnel, and the patient. 
There existed a definite need in the art for a novel hospital gown. The 
optimum combination of properties for such a gown would comprise: 
(1) A gown having fasteners which did not interfere in any manner with the 
carrying out of medical diagnostic or analysis procedures with respect to 
the patient while wearing it, yet which were easy to secure and release by 
either an unaided patient or medical and hospital personnel; 
(2) The gown would be relatively inexpensive, while still affording 
attractiveness and form fit despite its being fashioned so as to allow 
generic or "one size fits all" sizing; 
(3) Maximum coverage of the patient's body, particularly private areas, 
would be afforded, but physical access to the patient's body would be 
readily gained when necessary to the physician's examination or other 
treatment of the patient; 
(4) No gaps or open joints between gown edges would be provided, whether 
along closure portions or otherwise; and 
(5) The hospital gown could be made of a fabric-like and/or sterilizable 
material. 
None of the hospital gowns now available provide this optimum combination 
of properties. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a hospital gown to be worn by a patient 
while undergoing medical treatment or diagnostic procedures. 
The hospital gown of the invention comprises: 
a substantially quadrilaterally shaped unitary body portion, adapted to be 
wrapped around a patient's torso, having 
an inner, body-contacting surface, 
an outer surface, 
an upper edge, 
first and second longitudinally extending, opposing side edges, and 
a lower edge; 
sleeves extending from said outer surface of said body portion, providing 
communication with said inner, body-contacting surface and adapted for 
placement of said patient's arms therethrough; 
at least two non-metallic, elongate securing means extending outwardly and 
away from each of said first and second side edges, 
one of each of said securing means being respectively disposed 
substantially at the juncture of said upper edge with each of said 
respective first and second side edges, so as to comprise neck portion 
securing means extending substantially parallel to said upper edge and 
outwardly and away from each of said side edges; 
two non-metallic, elongate securing means extending outwardly and away from 
said upper edge, and being disposed about the longitudinal middle of said 
edge, each being adapted for securing to the opposite neck portion 
securing means of said first and second side edges; 
at least one inner surface, non-metallic elongate securing means, extending 
inwardly and away from said inner, body-contacting surface of said body 
portion, being adapted for securing to one of said first edge elongate 
securing means; and 
at least one outer surface, non-metallic elongate securing means, extending 
outwardly and away from said outer surface of said body portion, being 
adapted for securing to one of said second edge elongate securing means. 
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing 
a hospital gown having fasteners which do not interfere in any manner with 
the performance upon the patient wearing said gown of medical diagnostic 
or analysis procedures, and are easy to secure and release by either an 
unaided patient or medical and hospital personnel; which is relatively 
inexpensive, allows fitment to a variety of patients through generic or 
"one size fits all" sizing, and affords attractiveness and relative form 
fit to the patient; provides maximum coverage of the patient's body, 
particularly the private areas, while allowing ready physical access to 
the patient's body for patient examination or treatment, yet does not have 
gaps or open joints between gown edges along closure portions or 
otherwise; and which may be made of a fabric-like and/or sterilizable 
material. 
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved 
hospital gown which is easily secured and released by an unaided patient 
and/or medical and hospital personnel without use of fastening means which 
interfere in any manner with the performance upon a patient wearing the 
gown of medical diagnostic or analysis procedures. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved hospital 
gown which affords attractiveness and relative form fit while allowing 
fitment to a variety of patients through generic sizing, and which may be 
manufactured of a fabric-like and/or sterilizable material. 
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved hospital gown 
which maximizes coverage of the patient's body and private areas, and does 
not present gaps or open joints between gown edges or along closure 
points, while still allowing ready physical access to the patient's body 
for patient examination or treatment. 
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon 
reading the following detailed description and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The preferred embodiment of the invention is most readily described by 
reference to the Figures. FIG. 1 illustrates a hospital gown 10 of the 
invention. The gown may be made of any of the materials heretofore well 
known to the art for hospital gown use. Useful materials for fabrication 
of the gown include continuously extruded, synthetic material or 
composites of such materials, particularly in continuous sheet form prior 
to fabrication; woven natural fiber or synthetic fiber materials, 
including woven cloth and other woven fabric-like material constructed 
from cotton, cotton blended with synthetics (such as polyester, nylon, 
polypropylene and the like), and polyester, nylon, polypropylene or other 
synthetics; and non-woven natural fiber or synthetic fiber materials. 
Gown 10 comprises a substantially quadrilaterally shaped unitary body 
portion, preferably cut from one sheet of material. Alternately, the gown 
10 may be constructed of panels or pieces of material fastened together, 
such as by sewing and/or adhesive bonding, into a continuous, unitary 
body. Any construction which affords a continuous, unitary body with no 
back opening may be used. Gown 10 has an upper edge 400, first and second 
longitudinally extending, opposing side edges 100 and 300, and a lower 
edge 200. If desired, slits may be provided extending upwardly from edge 
200 into the body for a short distance, to maximize leg movement and 
walking ease. 
The gown 10 has an inner, body-contacting surface 3 and an outer surface 5 
(FIGS. 1-3). Approximately two-thirds of the inner surface 3 actually 
comes into contact with the patient's body (see FIGS. 2-3). The remaining 
approximately one-third of that surface contacts a portion of outer 
surface 5 when the patient has completed donning and fastening the gown 
(see FIGS. 3-5). If desired, that portion of the inner, body-contacting 
surface 3 which actually contacts the patient's body may be furnished with 
an additional layer of material, or comprise a composite of materials. A 
removable layer fastened to said portion of inner surface 3 by the 
well-known Velcro.RTM. fastening system may be provided, that layer 
preferably comprising dressing material or a controlled-release medicine 
or other liquid-comprising material. 
Sleeves 11 and 12 extend outwardly from the outer surface 5 of the unitary 
body portion of gown 10. As sleeves do, sleeves 11 and 12 communicate 
through armholes with the inner, body-contacting surface 3 of the gown 10, 
so that a patient may place his arms therethrough, as FIG. 2 shows patient 
1 doing. While any manner of sleeve construction may be used, including 
sleeves continuously woven as part of the unitary body portion of the 
gown, a raglan sleeve construction such as is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 
and 5 is preferred. This construction maximizes patient comfort and 
mobility, as well as making the donning of the garment easier. This latter 
capability is of particular advantage when hospital or medical personnel 
have to place gown 10 on an unconscious or comatose patient, or a patient 
otherwise unable to dress himself, especially when the patient is in a 
supine position. 
Each of side edges 100 and 300 is provided with at least two non-metallic, 
elongate securing means, such as means 20 and 30 disposed so as to extend 
outwardly and away from edge 100, and means 26 and 34 similarly disposed 
with respect to edge 300. At least one of each of the two or more securing 
means is preferably placed along edges 100, 300 so as to lie proximate to 
the corner formed by the juncture with upper edge 400. Securing means 20 
is affixed and disposed substantially at the juncture of upper edge 400 
and side edge 100, and extends in a direction substantially parallel to 
edge 400 and outwardly and away from side edge 100 (FIG. 1). Similarly, 
securing means 26 is affixed and disposed substantially at the juncture of 
upper edge 400 and side edge 300, and extends in a direction substantially 
parallel to edge 400 and outwardly and away from side edge 300 (FIG. 1). 
Means 20, 26 comprise neck portion securing means, as will be more fully 
described herein. 
The at least one additional non-metallic, elongate securing means 30 and 34 
affixed to side edges 100 and 300 respectively may be positioned anywhere 
along said edges. It is most preferable to place said additional means 30, 
34 at approximately the midpoint of said edges, or "waist-high", as 
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3. A third non-metallic, elongate securing means 
may then be placed along each of said edges 100, 300 at a location between 
means 30 and 34 and bottom edge 200, if desired, to maximize cover of the 
patient's lower torso and private areas. 
Additional non-metallic, elongate securing means 22 and 24, which extend 
outwardly and away from upper edge 400, complete the neck closure 
structure of gown 10. Means 22, 24 are preferably equidistantly positioned 
about the longitudinal middle or centerline of edge 400, so as to be 
equally spaced on either side of patient 1's neck (FIG. 2). Each of means 
22, 24 is adapted for securing to the opposite neck portion securing means 
20, 26 of said first and second side edges 100, 300 respectively. In other 
words, neck portion securing means 20 is adapted to be secured with 
corresponding means 24 depending from edge 400, and neck portion securing 
means 26 is adapted to be secured with corresponding means 22 depending 
from edge 400 (FIGS. 3-4). 
The neck closure structure of gown 10 is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 
2-5, which show the sequence of closing the neck of gown 10. The patient 
first puts on gown 10 by placing his arms through sleeves 11, 12 (FIG. 2). 
Means 20, 26 may be grasped proximate their points of affixation to gown 
10 to aid in that step. Means 20 is then secured to means 24 (FIG. 3). 
Each of the non-metallic, elongate securing means 20, 30, 22, 24, 26, 32, 
34 and 50 are preferably flexible, elongate straps. Such straps are most 
preferably cloth tapes of natural or synthetic fiber, or strings or ties 
of the type known in the art. Securing of one such means to another may be 
performed by tying in a bow knot or other knot. 
Thereafter, means 26 is secured to means 22, as shown in the sequence of 
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. This second closure completes the neck closure of the 
gown 10, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and provides a comfortable yet easily 
releasable and openable structure. 
The preferred torso closure structure of gown 10 is best illustrated in 
FIGS. 1-5. An inner surface, non-metallic elongate securing means 50 is 
provided on inner, body-contacting surface 3, affixed and disposed so as 
to extend inwardly and away from said surface 3 (FIGS. 1-2). Means 50 is 
adapted for securing to first edge 100 elongate securing means 30, in the 
manner previously described. An outer surface, non-metallic elongate 
securing means 32 is also provided on surface 5, affixed and disposed so 
as to extend outwardly and away from said surface 5 (FIGS. 1-2). Means 32 
is adapted for securing to second edge 300 elongate securing means 34, 
again in the manner as previously disclosed. 
FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the gown 10's body portion closure structure. After 
having put on the gown 10 (FIG. 2), means 30 is secured to means 50 (FIG. 
3), and means 34 is secured to means 32 (FIGS. 3-5). The structure of said 
means and the methods of securement are as previously described. 
Considering the gown 10 and its closure structures as a whole, the sequence 
of putting on the gown is as follows. The patient first puts on the gown 
10, either himself or with the aid of medical or hospital personnel, by 
slipping his arms into sleeves 11, 12 (FIG. 2). If the patient is unable 
to put on the gown even with hospital personnel aid, such as in the case 
of a comatose patient, the gown may be spread out, in the manner shown in 
FIG. 1, on a bed or other flat surface so that inner body-contacting 
surface 3 faces outwardly, and the patient placed on said surface 3, 
back-first. His arms may then be placed into sleeves 11, 12, or they may 
be simultaneously placed into said sleeves as the patient is placed onto 
said surface 3. 
Means 20 is then secured to means 24, and means 30 secured to means 50, as 
illustrated in FIG. 3, substantially covering the patient's body, through 
the crossing over of edge 100 with respect to the front of patient 1, save 
where that edge abuts surface 3. Means 22 is then secured to means 26 and 
means 32 secured to means 34, as illustrated in FIG. 4. This causes edge 
300 to cross over the front of patient 1 (FIGS. 3-5). 
The resulting closed gown 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Secured means 
22/26 and 32/34 lie proximate to the patient's side, and are easily 
reached by the patient, or medical or hospital personnel, for either 
unsecuring or retightening that securement if necessary. No gap is left 
between outermost edge 300 and any other part of gown 10, such that the 
patient's body is completely enclosed. If direct access to the entire 
patient's body is necessary in either a supine, sitting or standing 
position, the gown 10 may easily be opened by first unfastening means 22 
from means 26, and means 32 from means 34, carrying edge 300 across 
patient 1 to resume the orientation shown in FIG. 3, then unfastening 
means 20 from means 24 and means 30 from means 50, and carrying edge 100 
across patient 1 to resume the orientation shown in FIG. 2. 
If access to only the upper portion of the patient's body is necessary, the 
sequence may involve only the unfastening of means 22/26 and 20/24. If 
access to only the lower portion of the patient's body is necessary, the 
sequence may involve only the unfastening of means 32/34 and 30/50. Hence, 
only so much of the patient's body as need be is exposed, maximizing both 
the patient's desire to preserve modesty and decorum and the physician's 
or medical personnel's need for access. 
Patients undergoing medical diagnostic procedures often move from location 
to location, and certain records must perforce move with them. To minimize 
the potential for separating patient and records, gown 10 is preferably 
furnished with a pocket such as pocket 13, which is readily accessible to 
both patient 1 and his physician or attendant medical personnel. 
While particular embodiments of the invention, and the best mode 
contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention, have been 
shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited 
thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, 
particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, 
contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as 
incorporate those features which constitute the essential features of 
these improvements within the true spirit and scope of the invention.