WO1995002973A1

WO1995002973A1 - Surgical gown and method for making the same

Info

Publication number: WO1995002973A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/008310
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Loring Covington
Original assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Priority date: 1993-07-22
Filing date: 1994-07-19
Publication date: 1995-02-02
Also published as: MX9404739A; AU7403794A; CA2126913A1

Abstract

A surgical gown (102) and improved assembly techniques for making the same are provided. The gown (102) has a body (104) having front (110) and side sections (112). The body (104) further includes a neck (127), sleeve (124, 126) and leg openings. Material removed from the body of the gown during the formation o f the sleeve and leg openings are used to form a reinforced sleeve and shoulder section. The gown of the present invention may also be constructed of the combination of liquid pervious and impervious materials such that said removed materials may be either liquid pervious or liquid impervious. Portions of said removed materials may be joined for forming the shoulder section or one of the reinforcing layers wherein the piece of material resulting from such joinder has both liquid pervious and impervious portions.

Description

SURGICAL GOWN AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to gowns and other garments and particularly to surgical gowns and methods for making the same. More particularly, this invention relates to improved gown assembly techniques, the use thereof providing improved material utilization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is generally known, sterile surgical gowns are designed to greatly reduce, if not prevent, - the transmission through the gown of liquids and biological contaminates which may become entrained therein. In surgical procedure environments, such liquids sources include the gown wearer's perspiration, patient liquids, such as blood and life support liquids such as plasma and saline.

Surgical gowns were originally made of cotton or linen and were sterilized prior to the use in the operating room. These gowns, however, permitted transmission or "strike- through" of various liquids encountered in surgical procedures. In these instances, a path was established for transmission of bacteria to and from the wearer of the gown. Additionally, as these gowns were costly, laundering and sterilization procedures were required before reuse.

Disposable surgical gowns have largely replaced linen surgical gowns. Because many surgical procedures require total liquid repellency to prevent strike-through, disposable gowns for use under these conditions are made entirely from liquid repellent or impervious fabrics. However, there are many surgical procedures which may permit the use of surgical gowns which are not totally liquid impervious. In these instances, disposable gowns which are not totally liquid impervious are made with such liquid repellent or impervious fabrics selectively positioned so as to provide the wearer with strike-through protection in the areas of the gown most likely to contact or be contacted by liquids. These areas include the chest and torso portions as well as the sleeve area between the elbow and wrist. Such partial liquid impervious gowns provide greater breathability and wearer comfort. In addition to the above and not with standing the degree to which a surgical gown is liquid impervious, it is sometimes desirable to reinforce selected portions of the gown. Generally, these reinforced areas may also be the areas most likely to encounter abrasive contact or be contacted by liquids. Such areas include, for example, the chest, torso and sleeve areas. Reinforcement in these areas provides improved resistance to abrasion and strike- through.

Whether the surgical gown is disposable or reusable, liquid impervious or partially liquid impervious or whether the gown is reinforced or non-reinforced, reducing manufacturing costs and material wastage benefit both suppliers and manufactures of such gowns as well as purchasers and society at large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to surgical gowns and particularly to disposable surgical gowns having a body defining a sleeve opening formed by the removal of material from the body. A sleeve is secured to the body about or around the sleeve opening. The sleeve includes a reinforced area having at least two layers. One of the layers is formed from the removed material and another of the layers is the sleeve. The present invention further includes surgical gowns having a body defining at least one leg opening and at least one sleeve opening formed by removal of material from the body. A sleeve is secured to the body about or around the sleeve opening. The sleeve includes a reinforced area having at least two layers. One of the layers is formed from the removed material and another of the layers is the sleeve. The present invention still further includes surgical gowns having a body defining at least one leg opening and at least one sleeve opening formed by removal of material from the body and a sleeve having a shoulder portion and a lower sleeve portion. The shoulder portion is secured to the body about or around the sleeve opening and the lower sleeve portion is secured to the shoulder portion. The shoulder portion is formed from material removed from the body during the formation of one of the leg openings. The present invention also includes surgical gowns wherein the material from which the body is formed includes liquid pervious and liquid impervious portions and wherein the body is substantially formed from the liquid impervious portion. In these instances, the shoulder portion or one of the layers of the reinforced area may be formed from a piece of material having liquid impervious and liquid pervious portions or may be formed from either the liquid pervious portions or the liquid impervious portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG 1 is a front plan view of a surgical gown having reinforced sleeves.

FIG 2 is a front plan view of a surgical gown having reinforced raglan sleeves and a back leg opening illustrated in ghost.

FIG 3 is a plan view of a multi-paneled surgical gown having raglan sleeves wherein the lower sleeve is reinforced.

FIG 4A is an isometric view of a folded sheet of material, folded on line A-A, illustrating a uni-panel surgical gown body cut-out patterns.

FIG 4B is a plan view of a continuous sheet of material illustrating a uni-panel surgical gown body cut-out pattern. FIG 5A is similar to FIG 4A and further illustrates a back leg cut-out pattern. FIG 5B is similar to FIG 4B and further illustrates a back leg cut-out pattern.

FIG 6 is a plan view of a continuous sheet of material illustrating a plurality of front panel cut-out patterns for a multi-paneled surgical gown.

FIG 7 is a plan view of a continuous sheet of material illustrating a plurality of back panel cut-out patterns for a multi-paneled surgical gown.

FIG 8 is a plan view of a continuous sheet of material illustrating a plurality of lower sleeve cut-out patterns.

FIG 9A is a plan view of a continuous sheet of material illustrating a plurality of shoulder sleeve cut-out patterns.

FIG 9B is a plan view of a continuous sheet of material illustrating a plurality of lower sleeve cut-out patterns.

FIG 10A and 10B are plan views of a sleeve sections cut to the pattern illustrated in FIG 10 and illustrating a reinforced lower sleeve section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Several terms are used herein to refer to various parts of the gown as the gown is worn. Thus, "front" refers to that part of the gown which overlays the chest or anterior plane of the wearer; "back" refers to that part of the gown which overlays the back or posterior plane of the wearer; "side" or "sides" refer to that part of the gown which overlays the side or lateral portion(s) of the wearer and which may extend to and overlap the back or front portions of the wearer, generally located between the front and the back. The term "outer" or "outside" describes that surface of the gown which faces away from the wearer when the gown is being worn; "inner" or "inside" refers to the surface of the gown, or part thereof which faces either the clothes or body of the wearer, while "left" and "right" respectively refer to portions of the gown corresponding to the left and right hand sides of the gown, respectively, as the gown is being worn. The term "continuous layer" or "continuous layer of material" describes a layer or a layer of material which is formed from a single piece of material and not formed by affixing, such as by sewing or gluing so as to form a seam in said layer or layer of material, two or more pieces of material. The term "continuous layer" or "continuous layer of material" may also refer to a seamless layer or seamless layer of material.

Additionally, several terms are used herein to refer to affixing one part of the gown to another part. These terms include "join", "secure", "attach" and derivatives and synonyms thereof. The affixing of these pieces of gown parts to one another may be accomplished by several conventional methods. By way of example and not limitation, these methods include stitching, gluing, heat sealing, zipping, snapping, sonic or thermal bonding or using a hook and loop fastening system and other methods familiar to those skilled in the art.

Turning now to the drawings and referring first to FIG 1, the gown 102 is formed from a single sheet of material and includes a body 104 and right and left sleeves 106 and 108, respectively. The body 104 has a closed front section 110 and a back section 112 which opens and closes along line 114 continued as dashed line 115. The back section 112 includes a left back panel 116 and a right back panel 118. The left back panel 116 is generally defined by dashed line 112 and a left edge 120 of gown 102. The right back panel 118 is generally defined by dashed line 112 and a right edge 122 of gown 102.

As will be discussed in greater detail below, the body 104 may be constructed from a single sheet of material or from separate sections or panels of material. In the case of multi-panel construction, the gown 102 would include a separate front section and a left and right back sections, wherein the left and right back sections are secured to the front section generally along the left and right edges, 120 and 122, respectively. The gown 102 further includes left and right sleeve openings 124 and 126 respectively and a neck opening 127. Secured to the gown 102 are left and right sleeves, 128 and 130, respectively. The left and right sleeves, 128 and 130, are secured to the gown body 104 about or around their respective sleeve openings, i.e., left sleeve opening 124 and right sleeve opening 126.

Each sleeve, 128 and 130, includes an upper sleeve section or shoulder section 132, a lower sleeve section 134 and a form fitting elastic cuff section 136. As illustrated in FIG 1, the shoulder section 132 and lower sleeve section 134 may be formed from a single piece of material. As such, the sleeves 128 and 130 are seamless in the area between the shoulder section 132 and lower sleeve section 134. As will be described in greater detail below, a sleeve may be formed from a separate shoulder and lower sleeve section.

The lower sections 134 of sleeves 128 and 130 are further provided with a reinforced area 138. The reinforced area 138 illustrated in FIG 1 generally extends from above the intersection of the shoulder section 132 and lower sleeve section 134 (generally at or above the elbow of the wearer) to the cuff section 136. The reinforced area 138 includes at least two layers of material, a reinforcing layer 140 and a sleeve layer 142. The reinforcing layer 140 may be formed from material removed from the gown 102 during the formation of the various openings therein. As will be illustrated and described in greater detail below, the reinforcing layer 140 is particularly formed from material removed from the gown during the formation of at least one of the sleeve openings, 124 or 126, or from the formation of a back leg opening (FIG 2) . The sleeve layer 142 may be formed by material of the lower sleeve sections 134 of either the left or right sleeves, 128 and 130, respectively. More particularly, the reinforcing layer 140 and the sleeve layer 142 defining the reinforced area 138 are continuous layers within the reinforced area 138. The reinforcing layer 140 and the sleeve layer 142 of the reinforced area 138 are generally joined together such that the position of the reinforcing layer 140 remains relatively constant to the position of the sleeve layer 142. The joinder of the reinforcing layer 140 and the sleeve layer 142 may be accomplished by securing the peripheral edges of the reinforcing layer 140 to the portions of the lower sleeve 134 overlaid by said edges. Alternatively, substantially all of the surface of the reinforcing layer 140 facing the sleeve layer 142 may be secured to the overlaid portion of the lower sleeve 134.

As is more clearly illustrated in FIGs 4-7 and 10, the reinforcing layer 140 may be generally triangular-shaped. As illustrated in FIG 1, the reinforcing layer 140 is secured to the lower sleeve section 134. One side of the reinforcing layer 140 generally encircles the sleeve (128 and 130) between the wrist and the shoulder of the wearer, and more particularly at or above the wearer's elbow. The remaining sides of the reinforcing layer outwardly bifurcate as these sides progress towards an terminate at the cuff 136.

As is illustrated in FIG 1, the reinforcing layer 140 and the placement thereof about the lower sleeve 134, generally forms a "V" shaped area 144 at the front or anterior region of the lower sleeve 134. The "V" shaped area 144 is not reinforced or overlaid by a separate layer of material. As such, the lower sleeve is only partially reinforced. In this case, the location of the reinforcement area is generally in the back or the posterior area of the lower sleeve 134. However, it will be understood that by piecing together two or more triangular-shaped pieces of material formed from material removed during the formation of gown body openings, or by overlying and securing one sufficiently large piece of material of similar origin to the lower sleeve 134, substantially all of the lower sleeve 134 may be reinforced (not shown) . The gown 102 further includes a plurality of ties 146 and a neck section 148. The ties 146 are located at both front and back sections, 110 and 112, respectively. Ties 146 are for the conventional purpose of conformally securing the gown 102 about the body of the wearer. The neck section 148 is attached to the gown 102 at the neck opening 127. The neck section 148, as will be described in greater detail below, is a portion of material integral with the body 104 and may be formed by folding a portion of said material. The neck opening 127 may be closed by matingly engaging snaps (not shown) at the terminal ends 150 of the neck section 148.

Referring now to FIG 2, the gown 202 is similar to gown 102. However gown 202 differs from gown 102 in that the left and right sleeves 228 and 230 may be formed from separate shoulder 232 and lower sleeve 234 sections. The shoulder 232 and lower sleeve 234 are secured together at seam 252. Additionally, the lower portions of the back section 212, particularly the left and right back panels, 216 and 218, respectively, have portions of material removed therefrom, forming a lower back leg opening 254. As will be described in greater detail below, the material removed from each back panel, 216 and 218, may be used to form the shoulder 232 of either sleeve, 228 and/or 230. The reinforcing layer of material 240 of a reinforced area 238, which, like the reinforcing layer 140, may also be formed from material removed from the sleeve openings, 224 and 226. It will be understood that the reinforcing layer 240 of the reinforced area 238 may also be formed from material removed from the back section 212, and particularly material removed from the back section 212 during the formation of the back leg opening 254 in the back section 212.

Referring now to FIG 3, the gown 302 is similar to the gown 102 and 202. However, gown 302 differs from gowns 102 and 202 in that the body 304 of gown 302 is formed from separate front, left back and right back panels 310, 316 and 318, respectively. Both back panels, 316 and 318 have triangular protons (shown by dashed lines) removed from an outer lower corner thereof, forming left and right lower back leg openings, 354 and 356, respectively. It will be understood that when free edges, 358 and 360. of back panels 316 and 318, respectively, are joined, the opening formed by the back leg opening 354 and 356 may be similar in size and shape to the back leg opening 254 of gown 202 (FIG 2) . The material removed from the back panels 316 and 318, may be used to form one of the shoulders 323 of one of the sleeves 328 or 330. Alternatively, the material removed from the back panels 316 and 318, may also be used to form one of the reinforcing layers 340 of one of the reinforced areas 338 in one of the lower sleeve section 334. Additionally, material removed from the gown 302 to form the sleeve openings 324 and 326, may also be used to form one of the reinforcing layers 340 of one of the reinforced areas 338 in one of the lower sleeve sections 334. Referring now to FIGs 4A and 4B and 5A and 5B, the bodies 404A, 404B, 404B' and 504A, 504A' (not shown), 504B, and 504B', formed from unitary construction, may be made in pairs. In FIG 4A, a section of material 462A is folded along lines A-A so as to form two layers of material 463A and 463A¹ in overlying orientation. A pattern for the gown body 404A is illustrated on the facing layer of material 463A. While the pattern for forming the gown body 404A' is not illustrated on layer 463A¹, it will be understood that the gown body 404A* and the openings therein are formed at the time the gown body 404A and its corresponding openings are formed.

A neck opening 427A may be formed in the body 404A by cutting out generally a semicircular piece of material. The left and right sleeve openings, 424A and 426A of body 404A may be formed by removing two generally "V" shaped pieces of material 464A and 466A from either side of the neck opening 427A along fold line A-A. It will be understood that when unfolded, the pieces of material 464A and 466A are generally diamond-shaped (not shown) . A portion of the material 462A just interior of the ends thereof along fold lines A-A is removed forming a three-sided lip 468A. The bodies 404A and 404A' are then separated by severing the remaining material 462A along fold line A-A.

To form the neck section 148 (FIG 1) , each lip 468A is folded on to the gown body. The folded orientation of the lip 468A with respect to the gown body is maintained by securing the folded material to the gown body.

As discussed above, when forming the reinforced area 138, 238 or 338 (FIGs 1, 2 and 3, respectively), the diamond-shaped pieces of material 464A and 466A may be used as "whole" pieces, so as to form a fully reinforced lower sleeve section (not shown) . Alternately, the diamond- shaped pieces 464A and 466a may be bisected, so as to form a plurality of triangular shaped pieces of material which in turn may be secured to the lower sleeve 138, 238 or 338 for forming the reinforcing layer of material 140, 240 or 340, which, as previously discussed, provides for partial reinforcement of said lower sleeve.

In FIG 4B, the two body portions, 404B and 404B' are formed from a single unfolded sheet of material 462B. This method of forming the body portions 404B and 404B' may be more desirable when a large quantity of body portions are to be formed as is often the case in large assembly operations. The neck openings 427B may be formed by removing a semicircular piece of material. The left and right sleeve openings, 424B and 426B, respectively, may be formed by removing two generally "V" shaped pieces of material 464B and 466B from either side of the neck opening 427B of each body portion 404B and 404B'. The lip sections 468B may be^~ formed and folded so as to form the neck section of the gown as previously described above. As also previously discussed, the material removed during the formation of the sleeve openings 424B and 426B may be used to form one of the reinforcing layers (140, 240 or 340) of a fully or partially reinforced lower sleeve (138, 238 or 338) .

Referring now to FIGs 5A and 5B, the form and method of formation of the gown bodies 504A and 504B are substantially similar to the form and formation of the gown bodies 404A and 404B with the exception that two pieces of material 570 and 572, and particularly two triangular- shaped pieces of material (illustrated in dashed lines) , are removed from the gown body 504A and 504B so as to form back leg openings 574 and 576. As previously discussed, the material removed during the formation of leg openings 574 and 576 may be used to form one of the reinforcing layers (140, 240 or 340) of a fully or partially reinforced lower sleeve (138, 238 or 338). In addition to use in the formation of a reinforced sleeve, the material 570 and 572 removed during the formation of the back leg openings 574 and 576 may be used to form one of the shoulder (232 or 323) of one of the sleeves (230 or 330).

Referring now to FIG 6, a plurality of separate front sections 610 are formed from a sheet of material 662. A neck opening 627 may be formed in each front section 610 by removing generally a semicircular piece of material. One half of the left and right sleeve openings 624 and 626, respectively, of each front section 610 may be formed by removing generally a pair of triangular shaped pieces of material 664 and 666 from either side of the neck opening

627. Each front section 610 further includes a left and a right edge, 620 and 622, respectively and a lower edge 621.

Referring now to FIG 7, a plurality of left and right back panels 716 and 718 are formed from a sheet of material 762. It will be noted that the back panels 716 and 718 may be formed from the material 762 in an alternating up-down sequence. In other words, the left back panel 716 is formed from the material 762 in a "down" orientation and the right back panel is formed from the material 762 in an "up" orientation. The "up" orientation being that orientation normal to the orientation of a panel when the gown is being worn. The "down" orientation being that orientation 180° out of phase to the orientation of a panel when the gown is being worn. As will be discussed in greater detail below, when assembling a gown formed from the front section 610 and the left and right back panels 716 and 718, the right back panels 718 are rotated 180° before the left and right back panels 716 and 718 are aligned with and secured to the front section 610.

A plurality of triangular shaped pieces of material 778 are removed from the material 762. The removal of the piece of material 778 forms one half of a sleeve opening and one half of a back leg opening. For example, removing the piece of material 778' forms one half of the left sleeve opening 724 in the left back panel 716* and one half of the back leg opening 754 in the right back panel 718'. Removing the piece of material 778'' forms one half of the right sleeve opening 726 in the right back panel 718'' and one half of the back leg opening 754 in the left back panel 716'. Both left and right back panels, 716 and 718, respectively, include a lip 768 which is similar in both form and function to the lip 468 A and B (FIG 4) described above.

The piece of material 778 may be used to form either a shoulder portion, 232 or 332 (FIGs 2 and 3, respectively) or one of the reinforcing layers of material, such as 140, 240 or 340 (FIGs 1, 2 and 3 respectively) of the corresponding reinforced area 138, 238 or 338.

It will be appreciated that upon forming the single gown body, such as 404 and 504, by the removal of material described above, the neck section, such as neck section 148, may be formed as previously discussed.

When assembling a multi-panelled gown, such as the gown 302, the back panels, such as 716 and 718, are positioned such that the respective lips 768 are adjacently aligned with each other so that the vertical edges adjacent said lips abut or are in close proximity. The front panel, such as front panel 610, is overlyingly positioned with respect to the back panels 716 and 718 such that seams 622 and 620 align with and are joined to the respective outer edges of the back panels 716 and 718.

Having formed the body portions for both single panel and multi-panel gown bodies, the shoulder sections of a two piece sleeve, such as sleeves 228 and 328 having shoulder sections 232 and 332, respectively, may be formed from pieces of material removed during the formation of the body as previously described. Alternatively, referring now to FIG 8A, the shoulder sections 832 may be formed by cutting a separate sheet of material 862A in accordance with the pattern shown thereon. Each shoulder section 832 has shoulder edges 880 and a hem edge 882. The shoulder sections are secured to the body by attaching the shoulder edges to the material of the gown body about or around the right and left sleeve openings.

Referring now to FIG 8B, the lower sleeve sections 834 may be formed by cutting a separate sheet of material 862B in accordance with the pattern shown thereon. The lower sleeve section 834 is a trapezoid having a wide edge 884 and a narrow edge 885 and un-parallel edges 886. The wide edge 884 of the lower sleeve 834 is attached to , the shoulder hem edge 882. The un-parallel edges 886 are joined together to form the lower sleeve section 834. To the narrow edge 885 of the lower sleeve 834 can be joined a piece of material, such as an elastic piece of material, so as to form a cuff, such as cuff 136 (FIG 1) .

Referring now to FIG 9, a one piece sleeve section 987, such as sleeves 128 and 130 (FIG 1) , having both shoulder and lower sleeve sections integral therewith may be formed by cutting a separate sheet of material 962 in accordance with the pattern shown thereon. Each sleeve section 987 has shoulder edges 980, hem edges 982 and a cuff edge 985. The sleeve section 987 is secured to the body by attaching the shoulder edges 980 to the material of the gown body about or around the right and left sleeve openings. The hem edges 982 are joined together and a piece of material, such as an elastic piece of material may be joined to cuff edge 985 so as to form a cuff, such as cuff 136 (FIG 1) .

Referring now to FIG 10A, a reinforcing layer of material 1040A is secured to a one piece sleeve section 1087A. The sleeve section 1087A is secured to the gown body as described above. Alternatively, a reinforcing layer of material 104OB may be secured to a one piece sleeve section 1087B. The reinforcing layer of material 1040B is similar to the reinforcing layer 104OA except that the reinforcing layer 104OB is rotated 180° with respect to the reinforcing layer 1040A and then secured to the sleeve section 1087B. It will be understood that the reinforcing layers 1040A or B, when overlying sleeve sections 1087A or B, define a reinforced area, such as the reinforced area 138 (FIG 1) . it will be further understood that the application and orientation of the reinforcing layers 1040A and B as described above are equally applicable to two piece sleeve sections. In this case, the reinforcing layers, either 1040A or B, are secured to the lower sleeve sections, such as lower sleeve sections 134 and 234 (FIGs 1 and 2) .

It will be understood that all of the gowns and gown parts previously illustrated may be formed from a multitude of materials which include both liquid pervious and impervious materials. With particular reference to FIGs 6 and 7, the sheets of material 662 and 762, may be constructed of either liquid impervious materials or liquid pervious materials, or a combination of liquid pervious and impervious materials. In the latter instance, wherein the stock materials, such as sheets 662 or 762, have both liquid pervious and impervious portions, an example of an apportionment of such a mixture of materials on a stock sheet of material 662 is illustrated by lines A-B and B- C.

In this case, the liquid pervious portion of the sheet of material 662 extends for a portion of the length thereof and occupies a portion of the width of material 662 defined by line A-B. In this way, the liquid pervious portion forms a lateral band or zone along the length of the material 622, said band having a width corresponding to the vertical dimension of line A-B.

The liquid impervious portion of the sheet of material 662 is adjacent the liquid pervious portion and extends over an adjacent portion and length of material 662 as the liquid pervious portion and occupies a portion of the width of material 662 defined by line B-C. In this way, the liquid impervious portion forms a lateral band along the length of the material 662, said band having a width defined by lines B-C. As such, the pieces of material 664 and 666 removed from the material 662 are formed from the liquid pervious portion of the material 662 defined by lines A-B. In this way, when pieces 664 and 666 are used to form either a reinforced layer, such as reinforcing layer 140 (FIG 1) or the shoulder, such as shoulder 132 (FIG 1) , the liquid pervious material provides the wearer greater comfort, such as for example improved breathability or absorption of wearer perspiration. It will be appreciated that the apportionment of liquid pervious and impervious portions just described may be reversed. In this case, the portions of material 662 defined by line A-B would be liquid impervious and the portions of material 662 defined by line B-C would be liquid pervious. Referring now to FIG 7, an example of an apportionment of liquid pervious and impervious materials in the sheet of material 762 may be defined by lines A-B, B-C and C-D, wherein line A-B represent a liquid pervious band, line B- C represent a liquid impervious band and line C-D represent a liquid pervious band.

Alternately, the orientation of panels patterns 716 and 718 may be such that panels 718 are rotated 180°. In this way, the material removed to form the sleeve openings is removed from the width of material 762 defined by line A- B and the material removed to form the leg openings is removed from the width of material 762 defined by line C- D. In this case, the apportionment of liquid pervious and impervious materials over the sheet of material 762 defined by lines A-B, B-C and C-D may be impervious-impervious- pervious, respectively. Other combinations of liquid impervious/pervious materials also possible, such as pervious-pervious-impervious represented by lines A-B, B- C, and C-D respectively.

Additionally, shoulder sections, such as 230 or 330 (FIGs 2 and 3), may be formed from a combination of liquid pervious and impervious materials. Such a combination may be achieved by halving a sleeve cut-out or leg cut-out which is formed from liquid pervious materials and halving a second sleeve cut-out or leg cut-out which is formed from liquid impervious materials. Once halved, one of the liquid impervious halves is joined to one of the liquid pervious halves. In this way, a gown body having a liquid impervious front section and a more breathable liquid pervious back section may include a shoulder section having a liquid impervious front portion and a liquid pervious back portion. It will also be appreciated that other liquid pervious/impervious sleeve combinations are possible, such as a liquid pervious shoulder section and a liquid impervious lower sleeve wherein the reinforced area includes two layers of liquid impervious material. This combination may be achieved by securing a liquid impervious layer of material to a lower sleeve section, such as 834 (FIG 8) which is formed from liquid impervious materials then joining the reinforced lower sleeve section to shoulder sections formed from liquid pervious materials. In another combination, a liquid pervious layer may be secured to the inside surface of a liquid impervious lower sleeve portion. In this way, the reinforced sleeve would have an outer liquid impervious layer and an inner liquid pervious layer. The inner liquid pervious layer would be useful for absorbing wearer perspiration in the area of the forearm and wrist. While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED' IS:

1. A surgical gown comprising: a body defining a sleeve opening formed by the removal of material from the body; a sleeve secured to the body about the sleeve opening; and wherein the sleeve comprises a reinforced area having at least two layers with one of the layers being formed from said removed material and another of said layers being the sleeve.

2. The gown of claim 1 wherein the layers comprising the reinforced area are continuous.

3. The gown of claim 1 wherein the body further defines: a front section and side sections; wherein at least one of the side sections defines a leg opening formed by removal of material from the body; wherein sleeve comprises a shoulder portion secured to the body about the sleeve opening and a lower sleeve portion secured to shoulder portion; and wherein the shoulder portion is formed from material removed from the body during the formation of the leg opening.

4. The gown of claim 1 wherein the sleeve further comprises: a shoulder portion secured to the body about the sleeve opening and a lower sleeve portion secured to the shoulder portion; and

.wherein the reinforced area comprises a portion of the lower sleeve portion.

5. The gown of claim 4 wherein the body further comprises a front section and side sections.

6. A surgical gown comprising: a body defining at least one leg opening and at least one sleeve opening formed by removal of material from the body; a sleeve secured to the body about the sleeve opening; and wherein the sleeve comprises a reinforced area having at least two layers with one of the layers being formed form said removed material and another of said layers being the sleeve.

7. The surgical gown of claim 6 wherein the layers comprising the reinforced area are continuous.

8. The surgical gown of claim 6 wherein the sleeve further comprises: a shoulder portion secured to the body about the sleeve opening and a lower sleeve portion secured to the shoulder portion; and wherein the shoulder portion is formed from material removed from the body during the formation of the leg opening.

9. The surgical gown of claim 8 wherein the reinforced area comprises a portion of the lower sleeve.

10. The surgical gown of claim 6 further comprising: a front section and side sections; wherein each side section defines a leg opening formed by removal of material from the body; and wherein the sleeve further comprises a shoulder portion secured to the body about the sleeve opening and a lower sleeve portion secured to the shoulder portion; and wherein the shoulder portion is formed from material removed from the body during the formation of the leg opening.

11. A surgical gown comprising: a body defining at least one leg opening and at least one sleeve opening formed by removal of material from the body; a sleeve having a shoulder portion and a lower sleeve portion, wherein the shoulder portion is secured to the body about the sleeve opening and the lower sleeve portion is secured to the shoulder portion; wherein the shoulder portion is formed from material removed from the body during the formation of one of the leg openings.

12. The gown of claim 11 wherein the body further comprises a front section and side sections.

13. The gown of claim 11 wherein the lower sleeve portion comprises a reinforced area having at least two layers with one of the layers is formed from material removed from the body during the formation of the sleeve opening and another of said layer is the lower sleeve portion.

14. The gown of claim 14 wherein the layers comprising the reinforced area are continuous.

15. The gown of claim 11 wherein the material from which the body is formed comprises liquid pervious and liquid impervious portions wherein the shoulder portion is substantially formed from said liquid pervious portion.

16. The gown of claim 11 wherein the material from which the body is formed includes liquid pervious and liquid impervious portions wherein the body is substantially formed from said liquid impervious portion.

17. The gown of claim 11 wherein the material from which the body is formed includes liquid pervious and liquid impervious portions wherein the shoulder portion is formed from a piece of said material comprising liquid impervious and liquid pervious portions.

18. The gown of claim 11 further comprising a second sleeve comprising a second shoulder portion secured to the body about a second sleeve opening and a second lower sleeve portion secured to the second shoulder portion wherein the second shoulder portion is formed from material removed from the body during the formation of one of the sleeve openings wherein the material from which the body is formed comprises liquid pervious and liquid impervious portions and wherein the second shoulder portions is substantially formed from said liquid pervious portion.

19. The gown of claim 18 wherein the second shoulder portion is formed from a piece of said material wherein said piece of material comprises liquid impervious and liquid pervious potions.